Napoli are looking highly unlikely to sign Pepe Reina on a permanent basis after the player’s agent revealed that the Italian club are not looking to meet the asking price of Liverpool. The Spaniard spent the last season on loan at Napoli due to his good relationship with Rafa Benitez. He has since returned to Liverpool after his loan spell came to an end. However, he is unlikely to stay at Merseyside for long due to the former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet being the first choice at the club.
Reina was heavily linked with a permanent move to Napoli a few months ago, but this looks unlikely to happen right now because of the demands of Liverpool. The place agent has said that the player willing to meet the transfer fee placed upon the player. Reina was also linked with a move to his hometown club Barcelona, but they have moved to other transfer targets instead. Now, the player is looking into the possibility of spending a season on the bench, which could be damaging to his international aspirations.
He has already lost his international place to the likes of David de Gea, who have emerged as excellent contenders for the Iker Casillas role. Reina will be hoping that a move takes place in the next few weeks.
"It's very difficult for Pepe to remain at Napoli. From June 30, he will return to Liverpool because they want to maximise his sale, and Napoli are not willing to spend what is required," said the player’s agent. Prior to moving to Napoli, there was suggestion that Reina’s performances had fallen from the exemplary standards he set a few years ago. After the season away from Liverpool, it seems that he has recovered that form once again. He was brilliant for Napoli last season.