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Transfer rumours never stop and the steady parade of players who are allegedly bound for Merseyside is both vast and, in most cases, improbable. There are consistent names that have been tossed around with varying degrees of seriousness for months now, but Manchester City's Kolo Touré shot quickly to the top of the list almost overnight.
Despite the fact that this is the first time Touré has been connected to Liverpool for the summer transfer window, multiple sources are now citing the Ivorian's move as a done deal, with only a medical at Melwood left to be completed after Touré returns from City's week-long tour of the United States.
Touré is out of contract with City and would be available on a free transfer. While it worked out quite well the last time Liverpool signed a thirty-two year-old from City on a free, news of Touré's potential arrival has already caused mixed reactions from LFC fans, who seem to be ranging from "sure, why not" to "DO NOT WANT" in equal measure. Few seem actively enthusiastic about the possibility of signing Touré, especially if he comes with a sizable wage packet that would fly in the face of the club's attempts to reduce the team's wage bill.
Fan sentiment will also be largely dependent on how Martin Skrtel fits into the defensive puzzle. With Skrtel saying he wants to fight for his place and Brendan Rodgers recently confirming that Skrtel is part of his plans going forward, Touré's role would be very different if he's brought in to replace Skrtel rather than to fill the void left by a veteran like Jamie Carragher.
Touré has only featured for City fifteen times this season, all in the league, including five times from the bench. He's missed substantial portions of the past two seasons, in part due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations and in part due to serving a six month suspension as a result of testing positive for a banned substance.
Barring Liverpool making a statement denying this rumour, we have a good solid week in which to mull things over before the alleged medical takes place and shirtless photos of Touré start showing up on Pinstatwittergram. For now, take solace in the fact that if this rumour proves to be true, you won't have to learn a new song for the defender as he already has one to the tune of the Jonjo Shelvey song.