Reina's Replacement Or Understudy?

Sampdoria goalkeeper Daniele Padelli will join Liverpool on a six-month loan deal, his agent has confirmed.

The Italy Under-21 goalkeeper will undergo a medical on Wednesday afternoon with the Reds before starting training under Rafael Benitez.

Agent Silvano Martina said: "Padelli will travel to Liverpool this afternoon.

"The clubs have agreed on a six-month loan deal and the player is excited at the prospect of playing for Liverpool."

Padelli, one of Italy's most promising goalkeepers, joined Serie B side Crotone on loan from Sampdoria in the summer with the aim of getting some first-team football under his belt.

However, the 21-year-old has merely served as an understudy to Salvatore Soviero, playing in just one league game.

Samp have cancelled the loan deal with Crotone which was set to run until June, and have accepted the offer made by the Premiership club.


Drogballs: With Jerzey Dudek a shadow of his former self (he has always been a shadow, just that now he is...more shadowy than before), Rafa is ready to bring in a new goalkeeper in this Italian kid and that might ALSO sound the end of Scott Carson's Liverpool career.

We have been having a fair share of English young goalkeepers in recent years but all didn't turn out well. Perhaps this Italian is brought in to be our second goalkeeper with Dudek or Carson leaving. Is it me or are Italian 'keepers good and reliable? Hopefully so.