A Romanian second division football team is offering one of its top players in exchange for a gas pipeline. Cornel Rasmerita, Mayor of Lupeni in western Romania, who is also in charge of the Minerul football team said he was willing to sell his star goalkeeper Cristian Belgradean to first division team Jiul.

The deal would be subject to Jiul's rich owner paying for the construction of a gas pipeline in his town. He said: "I know our keeper is wanted by a number of top clubs but I am willing to let him go to Jiul if the club’s owner makes a £110,000 ($250,000) investment in a gas pipe that my town needs so much."

Previous deals have seen players swapped for half a pig and two sets of goalposts and a crate of wine.