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We bring you this rumor with the usual caveats: This comes from a dubious source and swap deals almost never come to fruition unless two Serie A clubs are involved. Still, this is a fun one to speculate about. According to a report in Metro, Liverpool and Napoli are weighing up a trade that would see Daniel Agger move to Naples in exchange for box-to-box/defensive midfielder Göhkan Inler.
Liverpool are going to be without Lucas Leiva for a couple of months at the very least, while Joe Allen has struggled for fitness all season and Steven Gerrard is hilarious in any role where he has to defend. Liverpool have some injuries at central defense right now as well, but are deeper in that spot than they are with midfielders who can defend. Agger has hinted that he could leave Liverpool this summer, so it makes sense on their end.
It could make sense on Napoli's end too, but only if they're able to purchase Tottenham Hotspur's Etienne Capoue or a similar player. Negotiations for Capoue have been going on all January long, with Mino Raiola, one of Capoue's representatives, traveling to London to meet with Spurs this week.
Like all convoluted transfer chains and swap deals, this will not come to fruition because it makes too much sense for everyone involved. Spurs should want to get their money back for a player their manager has no time for and the rumored exchange between Liverpool and Napoli helps both teams.
Good thing this won't happen, because the prospect of Liverpool strengthening their midfield is terrifying. I like them weak in the center, thank you very much.
