2) Sebastian Coates
Like Ilori, Coates is still our player, but again like the prodigal centre-back, Sunderland want to take him off our hands (via Sunderland Echo). The Uruguayan has not lived up to expectations since his 2011 transfer, but it almost seems as though we’ve waited four years for him to come good, and now we’re going to get rid… Coates started to excel towards of his loan spell at Sunderland last term, helping keeping the Black Cats up, so it’s no surprise they want to make his transfer permanent. He was enormously highly rated when we signed him, having just starred at the Copa America as a 20-year-old. The talent and physicality is clear to see (he’s 6 ft. 5′, and technically capable), and centre-backs can get away with a lack of pace if they’re positionally superb. It looks like he’s going to Sunderland though. Let’s hope we don’t live to regret this one…
