Pepe Reina’s agent says the goalkeeper will not return to Napoli on loan and plans to spend the upcoming season at Liverpool.
Reina spent last season with Rafa Benitez’s side, making 43 appearances in all competitions, but Napoli and Liverpool could not agree on a transfer fee for the Spanish international.
So Reina’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon told tuttonapoli.net that his client intended to see out the final two years of his deal at Anfield.
“I’ve heard of the rumours about Reina’s future, but I can confirm that Pepe is going to be playing for Liverpool next season,” Quilon said. “He is going to fulfil his contract with the English club.”
Benitez said last month that the Serie A club could not afford the 31-year-old Spain international’s wages.
Napoli have already moved to replace him, with Mariano Andujar arriving from Catania and Roberto Colombo signing a new contract. With Rafael also fit again after injury, Benitez has three goalkeepers from which to choose next season.
The challenge for Reina is that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers does not rate him, which is why he went out and signed Simon Mignolet last summer. Reina is also one of the highest paid players on the Liverpool wage bill, and Rodgers will not want to pay a back up goalkeeper that much money.
The question is where does Reina go? The only two big clubs looking for a starting goalkeeper are Atletico Madrid and Monaco. Where do you think Reina ends up?
