Manchester City’s reported Pepe Reina move will intensify Newcastle United frustrations

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez had made his former Liverpool and Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina a priority at St James’ Park.

Brace yourself Newcastle United. A matter of days after manager Rafael Benitez informed the BBC of his frustrations at a ‘crazy’ transfer market, one in which The Magpies have completed just two permanent deals, they may be about to miss out one of his top summer targets.

And, to add insult to injury, speculation is growing that he could join a Premier League rival in one of the window’s most inspired bargain deals.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester City have made an offer to sign Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the experienced Spaniard who worked with Benitez in Italy and was signed by him at Liverpool in 2005.

Pepe Reina could join up with fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola at City

And, just to sweeten the deal, the report adds that Napoli could take out-of-favour City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in return. The Chilean famously arrived at The Etihad in place of Joe Hart last summer but endured a disastrous debut campaign and appears to have been pushed down the pecking order by the £35 million arrival of Benfica goalkeeper Ederson.

Therefore, it’s likely that Reina would move to City as a back-up option, though his impressive distribution means he would surely float Pep Guardiola’s boat.

And this will further infuriate Newcastle. Reports in The Chronicle stated that their hopes could be dashed with Reina, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, could be about to end speculation over his future by signing a new deal at Napoli.

However, reports that he could now perform a surprise U-turn and end up back in England, though not with Newcastle, will cause further headaches for Benitez.

Newcastle appear to be forcing Darlow out but with no replacement close to arriving

The report adds that The Magpies remain in talks to sell Karl Darlow to Middlesbrough, meaning it is uncertain who will be between the sticks for Newcastle when the Premier League season kicks off next month.