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Following on from yesterday's rumours that Liverpool were looking at Sergio Romero as a potential backup to Simon Mignolet comes today's twist: that Liverpool will attempt to orchestrate a swap deal with Sampdoria, sending defender Sebastian Coates to Italy in exchange for a new backup goalkeeper.
Though swap deals are rare, reports in Italy today suggest the Serie A club's upper management have remained in Sampdoria while the rest of the team travel for a friendly as they look to hammer out the details of a deal with Liverpool. With the Italian club tenuously linked to Coates earlier in the summer, there's even a certain sense to it.
The 27-year-old Romero is rumoured to be valued at around £2M, which would suggest that any deal would have to include some cash coming Liverpool's way. Romero, who started at the World Cup and spent last season on loan with Monaco, might seem an unlikely candidate for backup keeper, but wanting out of Sampdoria and with few takers he may not have many options.
A cushy role playing in Liverpool's cup matches might not be ideal, but at least in England his wages would be higher than they are at present. For Liverpool, meanwhile, it would make for a clear improvement at backup 'keeper, though it seems unlikely that Romero could seriously challenge Mignolet for the starter's role.
And for Coates, though he's impressed and has a real chance of entering the season as Liverpool's fourth centre half, it would mean a chance to start regularly. All told it makes for a strange and unlikely rumour, but one with a certain sense to it for all parties.
Sampdoria offload a want-away player and get a solid centre half at a discount; Liverpool get their 'keeper situation sorted without spending a dime and thin out an overstocked position. Romero gets a solid paycheque and the chance to impress in England and the Champions League if something happens to Mignolet; and Coates gets a chance to start.
All of which means it's probably never going to actually happen.
