Newcastle have renewed their interest in Napoli’s Pepe Reina and signing the goalkeeper could be a real signal of intent about their ambition.
Napoli’s Pepe Reina dives during the Italian Serie A football match against UC Sampdoria.
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina by the Sun, six months after the transfer was first mooted.
The Magpies were keen on signing Reina over the summer but nothing materialised, yet manager Rafa Benitez has clearly not given up hope on landing the ‘keeper he worked with at Liverpool and at the Stadio San Paolo.
Rafael Benitez, manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Swansea City.
Benitez has been given a budget of £10m and £100,000-a-week in wages to secure a new stopper, but would need that to be increased to bring the 35-year-old to St James’ Park.
That is because Reina remains the number one at the Naples outfit, playing 27 games in all competitions this season, and therefore they want in excess of £10m to let the Spaniard leave. He also has high wage demands.
Pepe Reina (L) and Marek Hamsik of Napoli celebrate after the serie A match against Hellas Verona.
However, Benitez is extremely keen on bringing Reina to Newcastle and rightly so, because signing a player who has won the Bundesliga, FA Cup, World Cup and two European Championships during a distinguished career would be a huge coup.
It would also make a statement that after three frustrating transfer windows, the North East outfit are finally serious about investing in the squad to take it to the next level.
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