Earlier this year, multiple reports suggested that Napoli are keen on signing LFC loanee Pepe Reina to a permanent deal this summer, and after another clean-sheet against Roma this evening, Rafa Benitez hailed the Spaniard's form, which will probably bodes well for any future transfer negotiation.
In January, the Liverpool Echo reported:
"Napoli are willing to pay the Reds’ asking price of around €6 million to sign Pepe Reina once the campaign ends".
In his post-match interview after Napoli's 1-0 victory over Roma on Sunday, Benitez - who led Liverpool to Champions League victory in 2005 - told La Gazetta Dello Sport:
"Reina is having a great season. He is in exceptional physical condition, and is performing at a great level. At Liverpool, he was amongst the best in the world. His future? He must continue to work hard, and then we'll see"
Benitez also made reference to a 'clause' in Reina's contract, but didn't specify its exact nature, or whether it's in the Spaniard's LFC contract or part of Napoli loan deal.
When asked about his future in October, Reina seemed resigned to the possibility of returning to Merseyside this summer. He told Italian newspaper La Gazetta Dello Sport:
"My future? As far as I know, I will return to Liverpool after my loan spell is over. Then, we'll see what happens"
Brendan Rodgers seems to have put the stoppers on that possibility, though. Last week. he told the Liverpool Echo:
"He [Reina] wrote a goodbye letter, didn't he? I was surprised at the letter - when you are a loan player I would expect that he should come back, but obviously Pepe made it very clear when he went to Napoli that he was looking to move".
Staying at Napoli seems like the logical thing for Reina to do, especially given the fact he has four children. Does he really want to uproot his family for a third time in two years?
Pus, Reina is in a great position in Italy: he's playing under a manager who clearly has great confidence in him, and the likelihood is that with Benitez at the helm, Napoli will play Champions League football every year.
Better the devil you know?
Author: Jaimie K
In January, the Liverpool Echo reported:
"Napoli are willing to pay the Reds’ asking price of around €6 million to sign Pepe Reina once the campaign ends".
In his post-match interview after Napoli's 1-0 victory over Roma on Sunday, Benitez - who led Liverpool to Champions League victory in 2005 - told La Gazetta Dello Sport:
"Reina is having a great season. He is in exceptional physical condition, and is performing at a great level. At Liverpool, he was amongst the best in the world. His future? He must continue to work hard, and then we'll see"
Benitez also made reference to a 'clause' in Reina's contract, but didn't specify its exact nature, or whether it's in the Spaniard's LFC contract or part of Napoli loan deal.
When asked about his future in October, Reina seemed resigned to the possibility of returning to Merseyside this summer. He told Italian newspaper La Gazetta Dello Sport:
"My future? As far as I know, I will return to Liverpool after my loan spell is over. Then, we'll see what happens"
Brendan Rodgers seems to have put the stoppers on that possibility, though. Last week. he told the Liverpool Echo:
"He [Reina] wrote a goodbye letter, didn't he? I was surprised at the letter - when you are a loan player I would expect that he should come back, but obviously Pepe made it very clear when he went to Napoli that he was looking to move".
Staying at Napoli seems like the logical thing for Reina to do, especially given the fact he has four children. Does he really want to uproot his family for a third time in two years?
Pus, Reina is in a great position in Italy: he's playing under a manager who clearly has great confidence in him, and the likelihood is that with Benitez at the helm, Napoli will play Champions League football every year.
Better the devil you know?
Author: Jaimie K
Watched Napoli vs Roma last night, Reina was in scintillating form, with the recent lapses from Mignolet, I reckon a strong player like Reina is still needed
ReplyDeleteI have no issue with the two keepers fighting it out for top spot, but it will probably come down to financial issues. I can't see the club allowing his contract to run out and paying his high wages for another year.
ReplyDeleteBR likes competition in all places and JH expects contracts to be honoured so I see a great future for him ..........somewhere else
ReplyDeleteWould love to see pepe reina return to us but we all no its not going to happen, think brendans made that very clear to all of us. Well pepe good luck hope you get your move to barcalona, thanks for memories ur still a world class keeper and will never be forgotten on liverpool. YNWA
ReplyDeleteReina is a great keeper but started to lose his intensity over the last few seasons for me. He has great distribution and is confortable with his feet but he failed to keep us in games a lot of the time towards the end of his tenure they way Mignolet does now. I have now problem having Reina back but why would return having regular CL and player under 'best manager that he has every worked with"? Compounded with the fact that he wrote a farewell letter while on loan shows the writings on the wall for him. Reina made his bed when highlighted that if Barca come knowing he's off. It may of back fired on him in that respect but ultimately indirectly helped LFC IMO as the pressure of being no 1 at LFC spurred Mignolet on and he has made crucial saves for us this season.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but Reina has had many lapses this season too. And judging merely on their latest performances, Mignolet was in scintillating form in his last match also.
ReplyDeleteClearly BR and pepe have fallen out with each other for whatever reason. At the end of the day though you have to come down on the side of the manager but it is a shame cos Pepe was good for liverpool . He made the odd mistake throughout his career as every goalie does but he is a good shot stopper and very good at distributing the ball quickly. I wish him well.
ReplyDeleteI think LFC will sell Reina and bid for a Champions League Quality Goalkeeper this summer....may be STEPHANE RUFFIER or KEYLOR NAVAS who are in exceptional form this year...we can use SIMON MIGNOLET as a secondary keeper for Carling Cup and FA cup matches
ReplyDeletei think reina should commend a higher fee for a player of his experience and ability in the current market. 6 mil for a spanish international with cl experience??
ReplyDeleteReina does not have a future at Anfield anymore. He made his bed and has to lie in it now. He told LFC that Barcelona was going to sign him. Then Valdes never left Barcelona and that was the end of that. Facepalm...
ReplyDeleteIf LFC was willing to pay his massive wages for him to sit on the bench then he would have never been loaned to Napoli. Reina is as good as gone, done and dusted.