Coates to wrap up kop switch

Above: Uruguay international Sebastian King

Liverpool are close to signing Uruguay ­international Sebastian Coates after bidding £8m for the defender.

Officials from his club side Nacional yesterday said that the centre-back’s father and agent had been in England to discuss personal terms with Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli.

The bid has not yet been accepted, but Nacional’s vice-president Hector Olmes said: “The offer is very good. Coates will surely go to Liverpool.”

Coates, 20, was named the best young player at last month’s Copa America after a series of fine displays as Uruguay won the tournament.

He said: “What I need is continuity so I don’t lose my place in the national team. The Premier League? Do not rule anything out.”

Liverpool also remain interested in bringing Craig Bellamy, 32, back to Anfield – four years after he left the club.

Bellamy is being granted a free transfer by ­Manchester City and is likely to seek a two-year deal.

Liverpool take on League One side Exeter in the Carling Cup tonight.

Defender Jamie Carragher said: “Exeter is a massive game for us.

“We haven’t been in the Carling Cup at this stage for a long time.

“There’s no Europe this season so everybody at the club is determined to do as well as we can in the domestic cups.”