The Major Story-
Pep Guardiola is reportedly ready to sign former Liverpool goal-keeper, Pepe Reina from Napoli hijacking a deal from Newcastle United. The former Liverpool keeper was ready to re-join Rafael Benitez, at Newcastle, but the Manchester outfit is keen on bringing him to the Etihad. Napoli however are considering an interest in the deal with Manchester City as they are the Italian club are planning a swap for City keeper Claudio Bravo which raised the intriguing possibility of a move happening.
Benitez has been fuming at the frustrations he’s going through with the transfer window, as his team make their return to the top flight of English football and now this would just be considered ‘insult to injury’.
Reina has been in reasonably good form for Napoli, being an integral part of his team which finished third in the Serie A, just one point behind AS Roma.
Manchester City have already signed Ederson from Portuguese club Benfica SL for £35 million and the Brazilian will put Bravo further down the pecking order.
These rumors could also make Joe Hart’s exit out of the club a permanent move, as Ederson is clearly the long-time option between the sticks.
Reina has already worked with Guardiola at his time at Bayern Munich and even the Spaniard is keen on moving to work with his international counter-part.
Though, there is also a history with Benitez and therefore that’s what will make the transfer more interesting.
However, it is likely that if Reina joins Manchester City, he will play second fiddle to Ederson, but at Newcastle he should be Benitez’ first choice shot-stopper.
Reina played 48 games for the Naples last term and he has just one year on his contract and the 34 year old is still kept in high regard in terms of his keeping ability. Reina is though keen on returning to the Premier League but which team will he join? Or will he remain at Napoli till his contract runs out?
Deal Or No Deal?
It is still not certain whether Reina is the right man for City, though if the club is quite desperate for a replacement, if Bravo does leave, then he will surely be a good choice as a backup keeper.
Things will now depend upon the talks between the club and the former Barcelona man, though Pep might have a part to play in the deal as well.
For the Liverpool fans, it would be disappointing to see “one of their own” join a rival club, as Reina was liked by the fans, during his time at Anfield.
Since his departure, the club has rather had a frustrating time with Simon Mignolet at goal, though the keeper has seen his share of ups and downs with them.
Whatever happens next, the Spaniard does have it in him still to be a keeper of a big team like City and it will be good to see him back in the top flight of English football.
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