For solute transport in a deformable clay liner, the importance of consolidation in the presence of sorption and consolidation-induced advection are well known. Here a one-dimensional coupled consolidation and solute transport model for a partially saturated porous medium, including the new features of finite strain and geometric and material nonlinearity, is proposed. A new boundary condition at the compacted clay liner base is also introduced. A comprehensive comparison demonstrates the significance of finite strain, compressibility of pore water, longitudinal dispersion and the degree of saturation on the solute transport in an unsaturated porous medium. Consolidation in the presence of sorption and consolidation-induced advection both affect solute transport in a deformable clay liner. Here, a one-dimensional coupled consolidation and solute transport model for a nearly saturated porous medium, including finite strain and geometric and material nonlinearity, was proposed. A new boundary condition at the compacted clay liner base was also introduced. The model demonstrates the significance of finite strain, pore water compressibility, dispersion and the degree of saturation on solute transport in an unsaturated, consolidating porous medium.