Rafael Benitez has been asked about a possible Newcastle more for Pepe Reina.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez celebrates winning the league
Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has told Calcio Napoli 24 that he respects Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina – but isn’t necessarily interested in reuniting with him at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies clinched promotion to the Premier League last month, and even sealed the Championship title with a 3-0 win over Barnsley thanks to goals from Ayoze Perez, Chancel Mbemba and Dwight Gayle.
Benitez has guided his side back to the Premier League at the first of asking, and the attention will now turn to both securing his future at the club and bringing new signings to St. James’ Park this summer.
One area that could be interesting to track is between the sticks, given that Benitez doesn’t appear to be completely sold on any of his goalkeeping options at present.
Matz Sels was dropped back in September following a summer move from Gent and hasn’t played a league game since, whilst Karl Darlow lost his place in the team last month to Rob Elliot.
Pepe Reina
A move for another goalkeeper would surely rely on Newcastle selling one or even two of their existing shot-stoppers, but a natural link in the transfer market is to Napoli’s Pepe Reina, who has a strong relationship with Benitez.
Benitez took Reina to Liverpool back in 2005, and the Spanish stopper made over 250 appearances in all competitions under Benitez, before the pair reunited at Napoli in 2013, sparking questions of a possible reunion at Newcastle.
Spain’s Pepe Reina warms up
Benitez has been asked about a move for Reina, and told Calcio Napoli 24 that whilst he feels that Reina is a great player, Newcastle already have goalkeepers at the club, and Reina may well be happy at Napoli, essentially pouring cold water on the rumours.
“I think there’s nothing to say about Reina, Pepe is a great player but above all a leader in the dressing room,” said Benitez. “We missed him in the year he went to Bayern Munich, now he can make a difference both on and off the pitch. Would I take him to Newcastle if he left? I respect Napoli, as that’s where he is, and our club which has a lot of goalkeepers who are doing well.”
“We need to be calm, we’ll talk to the club and decide on our targets. I have a great personal relationship with Reina, he’s a great goalkeeper, but he’s at Napoli and I’m sure he’s happy there,” he added.
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