Pepe Reina will not be joining the Italian side on loan, says Rodgers…
Brendan Rodgers has played down speculation that 30-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina is set to join Napoli in a loan deal, reports The Daily Mirror.
Liverpool’s Northern Irishman was blunt in his response to questions from the media on Reina’s future during a press conference in Australia, where his side are due to play some pre-season friendlies.
“Nothing as of yet,” said Rodgers, when asked if there had been any progression on the Reina deal.
“The latest was that there was an offer to take him on loan but that’s something that hasn’t been discussed any further.”
The news will please Liverpool fans who took to Twitter to vent their anger at the prospect of lending their goalkeeper to another side without receiving a transfer fee.
Don’t understand why we’re talking to Napoli about a loan move for Reina… Should be a permanent transfer so we can re-invest a fee. #LFC
— Dan Roach (@Danroachlfc) July 19, 2013
Why the hell would we loan Reina to Napoli.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) July 19, 2013
Reina could still be on his way out of the club however, as the Reds have signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland for £9m this summer. It would be unlikely Liverpool would spend such a substantial fee on a back-up stopper, meaning Reina would most likely be sitting on the bench at Liverpool next season. In the run up to next summer’s World Cup, this is clearly not something that would appeal to him.
The Spaniard was once seen as one of Liverpool’s most important players, but consecutive shaky seasons and a clutter of embarrassing errors has seen his stock fall.
New Napoli manager Rafa Benitez was keen to reunite with Reina, who he brought to Liverpool in 2005. The pair enjoyed many successful years at Anfield, littered with strong Champions League runs, and an FA Cup win in 2006.
Napoli though could be left frustrated, after Rodgers latest comments indicate he is not willing to let Reina leave on loan. The Italian side have already failed to conclude a deal for QPR stopper Julio Cesar this transfer window.
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