Liverpool’s £9 million raid for Sunderland star could prompt Arsenal to resurrect their transfer interest in an Anfield stalwart.
Liverpool’s signing of Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet could result in Arsenal resurrecting their interest in the Reds’ Spain international star Pepe Reina.
The London Evening Standard report that the 30 year-old custodian will hold talks with Brendan Rodgers about his future, after it was cast into doubt by the capture of Mignolet, and given the unlikely scenario of two senior goalkeepers playing for a single place in the side at Anfield, Reina’s sale seems inevitable.
The strongest transfer interest appeared to have come from FC Barcelona, who were looking to replace the wantaway goalkeeper Victor Valdes with a fellow graduate of the La Masia academy.
With news that Valdes will remain at the club until the end of his contract, which expires next season, the possibility of a Barcelona transfer for Reina appears to have waned, leaving Arsenal as the main contenders for his signature.
Incidentally, Arsenal had been linked with a deal for Valdes, with a senior shot stopper earmarked by the club to be a mentor for the Gunners’ Polish number one Wojciech Szczesny as he continues his development.
Having rid Sebastien Squillaci, Denilson, Andrei Arshavin and other high earners from the wage bill at Emirates Stadium, Reina’s £110,000 per week would not be an issue for the Gunners.
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