Football News: Reina to Join Napoli

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Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina will join Napoli on a season long loan deal next week after the two clubs agreed upon a deal.Napoli moved to swoop for Reina after a loan deal for QPR's Julio Cesar fell through at the last minute with QPR demanding a fee for the goalkeeper instead of the proposed loan deal.

Reina will be the second goalkeeper Napoli has signed this summer following the purchase of Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael from Brazilian clubs Santos for a fee of around £5 million pounds,Reinahas been Liverpool's long term number one goalkeeper in recent years however with Liverpool's recent purchase of Simon Mignolet he was no longer a guaranteed starter.

Napoli will have the option to sign Reina permanently at the end of the season for around £8.6 million pounds. Reina enjoyed a fruitful spell at Liverpool and was signed by Liverpool as a replacement for Jerzy Dudek by Rafa Bentez whom he will lion up again with at Napoli however in recent season his performances have been criticized by Liverpool fans.

Liverpoool manager Brendan Rodgers said on the matter "Financially it was something that we needed to look at," said Rodgers. "That would be the reason (to move Reina) as you wouldn't move on a top goalkeeper. It (the situation) reared its head over the last couple of months and I had to prepare by bringing in another keeper."Pepe is a good guy. I've a lot of time for him, and he understands what I want to do totally.He's got a big season ahead because it's a World Cup year and one where, if he wasn't going to be playing, could severely harm his chances of going."

Written by Liam July 21 2013 13:25:43