Liverpool transfers: Pepe Reina happy with Barcelona link

Pepe Reina says he is happy to be linked with Barcelona amid growing doubts over his long-term Liverpool future.

Brendan Rodgers agreed to allow the Spain international to move on a season-long loan to Napoli after signing Simon Mignolet in a £9m deal from Sunderland.

The 30-year-old was a reported target of Barcelona this summer but a move failed to materialise as Victor Valdes committed himself to the Catalan side for another season.

The Barça shot stopper is expected to leave Camp Nou at the end of his contract next summer, and Reina is happy to see his name linked with the La Liga champions.

“I am happy that my name has been linked with Barcelona,” Reina told Radio Catalunya. “But right now I’m focused on Napoli and doing well here.

“In the summer, we’ll see what happens.

“There has been nothing established yet, but I think Barcelona will have a long list of eligible candidates to replace Valdes – should he leave.”

Earlier this month, Reina admitted he doesn’t expect to play for Liverpool again after moving to Napoli on a season-long loan.

“No. At the moment it’s difficult to think about being a Liverpool player next year,” Reina said.

“They have a young goalkeeper in Simon Mignolet and the manager prefers him to me. That’s the reason why I’m here and he will be at the club next year as well.

“There’s no reason to think I’ll be a Liverpool player from now on but we’ll see where the future takes us. It’s been a good move so far and I don’t regret what happened. I would have preferred to say goodbye in a different way.”