Swansea need to up Camp offer or risk poor Premier League start
Published:Swansea may be forced into paying more than they want to for Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Lee Camp or risk heading into their first ever Premier League game distinctly short of options between the sticks.
Brendan Rodgers has identified a goalkeeper as his top priority after losing Dorus De Vries and Yves Ma-Kalambay this summer, although Jose Moreira has arrived from Benfica.
However, the only other option is untested youngster David Cornell and it would be a big ask if he was thrown in at the deep end against Manchester City.
Rodgers has made inquiries about goalkeepers and was hugely keen to bring in David Stockdale on loan from Fulham.
But with Fulham wanting to add a 24-hour return clause into the contract, it was Championship side Ipswich that eventually signed Stockdale on loan.
Tottenham’s Carlo Cudicini has also been linked with a move to Wales, but Swansea have so far been reluctant to meet his £3m price tag.
An offer of £1.5m for Camp has already been turned down by Nottingham Forest, but with no other alternatives seemingly having an appeal, Swansea may be forced into substantially increasing their initial bid, particularly this close to the start of the season.
Other options potentially open to Swansea could be West Ham’s Robert Green, who would surely welcome a return to the Premier League and may be available for around the £3m mark.
Highly-rated Joe Lewis is another potential signing from Peterborough, while Sunderland have three useful goalkeepers in their ranks after capturing Kieren Westwood from Coventry, meaning that either Craig Gordon or Simon Mignolet may be available.
Swansea’s result away at Manchester City could set the tone for the remainder of their season and although they may expect to lose, they will be hoping to perform with credit and put up a fight.
It is 2/9 in the Premier League odds that Manchester City beat Swansea, while last season’s Championship play-off winners are 5/4 to survive in the top flight.
