Newcastle dealt blow in pursuit of Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Premier League-bound Newcastle have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina following comments from the goalkeeper’s agent (via The Daily Mail).

The 34-year-old enjoyed a decent campaign in Naples, starting all but one of their 38 Serie A games, in which time he kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just 38 goals to help the club finish third in the division, just five points behind champions Juventus.

English football fans will of course remember the shot-stopper for his nine-year stint at Liverpool, where he played 394 games for the Reds between 2005 and 2014, helping them win the FA Cup in 2006, and then the League Cup in 2012.

However, it doesn’t look like he will be returning to the Premier League this summer, despite reports linking him with a move to former boss Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle, with Reina’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon confirming that he’ll see out his contract in Italy.

He said: ‘Pepe will stay at Napoli until the end of his contract.

‘Certain issues have nothing to do with what happens on the pitch and do not interest us.

‘He is staying at Napoli until 2018.’

This will surely come as a blow to Benitez and indeed the Newcastle faithful, who are looking forward to their return to the top-flight following automatic promotion from the Championship this term.

The Magpies won 29 of their 46 games to pip Chris Hughton’s Brighton to the title, yet attentions have already been turning to their top tier campaign next time round, with Reina one of those experienced players Benitez was hoping to bring in.

However, it seems highly unlikely and almost impossible that the 34-year-old will be leaving Napoli this summer.