Liverpool, Serie A

Pepe Reina To Join Napoli On Loan

Pepe ReinaReports out of the UK suggest that Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina will join Napoli on a season-long loan deal.

Napoli were expected to bring in QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, but after that deal fell apart, Napoli, and former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez moved quickly to sign his former Liverpool Number 1.

Reina was due to report back for training on Sunday before flying out to join Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia, but that ticket has been reissued to youth team goalkeeper Danny Wardwho will now back up to Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones.

Liverpool spent £9m earlier this month to sign Mignolet, the Belgium international goalkeeper from Sunderland. After that deal went though it was just a matter of time before Reina was shipped out by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

Reina, who is one of Liverpool’s highest earners, was a mainstay of Benitez’s side during his successful spell at Anfield and they have remained on good terms ever since.

The Reds former goalkeeping coach, Xavi Valero, has already joined Benitez at Napoli and Reina is known to rate him as a key part of his success.

The Italian side can also offer Champions League football after finishing second in Serie A under previous coach Walter Mazzarri.