Joaquin Sosa in Hibs transfer link amid claims 'deal agreed' for Nacional defender

The 20-year-old centre-back has spent time on-loan at Liverpool Montevideo in the Uruguayan Primera Division.

Hibs have been linked with a move for Uruguayan defender Joaquin Sosa. And reports in the defender's homeland have even claimed a deal has already been agreed to take the 20-year-old to Easter Road.

Sosa, contracted to Primera Division side Nacional, has been on loan at Liverpool Montevideo. But Uruguayan media indicate he could find himself on his way to Edinburgh as Lee Johnson 's latest recruit. The Hibs boss has readily admitted he's keen to add further defensive options despite already adding Kyle McClelland and Rocky Bushiri to his ranks this summer. Sosa, primarily a centre-back, can also operate at left-back and in midfield.

The Uruguay youth international has been capped up to U-17 level by his country. He has made only a single senior for Nacional thus far and also spent time on loan with Rentistas, where he made 30 appearances. He has since played 17 times for Liverpool Montevideo in his current loan spell, registering one assist for the top-flight side.

Meanwhile, Johnson has hit out at the Premier Sports Cup format after his side crashed out in the group stage last week. Hibs ' fate was sealed after Morton were awarded a 3-0 victory due to the Premiership side fielding the suspended Bushiri.

Last week, the former Sunderland manager admitted he was puzzled by the lack of a fourth official during an initial 1-1 draw with the Ton. He's since claimed the summer group stage format "degrades" the tournament.

Johnson said: “It doesn’t make sense playing the League Cup this early. It almost degrades the competition itself. You’re talking about players playing competitive games every three days, when you can only make five subs, two-and-a-half weeks into pre-season.

“I’m new to this country in terms of football management and I need to abide by its rules. But if we want players to stay fit and to perform well, it’s a competition which should begin after the first game of the league season, perhaps in midweek.

“That’s how it should be if what matters is the balance of pushing the lads to the extreme in training, but also protecting them for a long season to come. It’s been interesting getting used to the format but some things don’t add up.”