Newcastle United have emerged as a new potential destination for Napoli goalkeeper Pep Reina. The Spanish veteran is assessing his options with the Italian club and might make a return to the Premier League once again.
Rafa Benitez is exploring his options to strengthen his squad as the Magpies recently secured their Premier League status after lifting the Championship title. The Toons had an excellent campaign but Benitez is looking for some new signings for the next season.
Karl Darlow is relatively new to the Premier League experience while Matz Sels hasn’t been impressive since his move to the St James Park. Benitez is well acquainted with the pros and cons of Reina and would prefer to have an experienced keeper like him.
Reina will be moving into the last year of his contract and a fee of £5m should be enough to tempt him to the St James Park. Benitez remains an avid admirer of the veteran keeper having signed him twice during his stints at Liverpool and Napoli.
Reina had an outburst with Aurelio De Laurentiis over some comment made by the latter at the season-ending dinner and Reina’s wife was so miffed that he immediately walked out from the dinner.
Benitez is not convinced with his current lot of keepers and wants a new shot-stopper at the St James Park. AC Milan have also expressed their interest in the keeper but his agent Manuel Garcia Quillon has confirmed that his client will not play anywhere in Italy except Napoli.
Benitez has readied alternate options if he somehow to fails to secure a deal for the keeper. Manchester City have released Willy Caballero and Benitez might as well make a move for the experienced keeper.
Despite the recent incident, Reina doesn’t want to hurry to move out of Naples where he has been the first choice keeper despite his age. The Maurizio Sarri would be determined to keep a hold of him as the Italian side will participate in the Champions League next season and any change of plan at this time would hamper their project.
Reina has never played in the Premier League apart from Liverpool but Benitez can make this happen. The Spanish gaffer is preparing for a bid to bring the keeper to the English first tier. Reina has plenty of Premier League experience and a keeper of his quality can play in his prime for a few more years.
