Pepe Reina says he can understand why Liverpool striker Luis Suárez is thinking about leaving to join “a bigger club”.
The 26-year-old forward revealed he would like a “change of environment” in May amid reports linking the Uruguay international with a big-money move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool swiftly issued a statement maintaining Suárez, who is currently serving a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanović, is not for sale this summer.
But Reina, whose own future has been a source of speculation in recent months, can understand why Suárez is thinking of a move to a club capable of challenging for silverware.
“I would like for Luis to stay at Liverpool, but I understand if he is thinking about leaving for a bigger club,” Reina said of Suárez, who scored 23 Premier League goals this season.
“When I say ‘bigger’, I don’t mean as a club. I mean challenging for titles, playing in the Champions League and competing with the best.
“Because of his situation, and because of his treatment by the media, it would have been difficult for any player, not just for Luis, to stay strong and be happy to stay.
“Hopefully, as I say, he will stay at Liverpool for many years. But I would understand, if the right offer comes for him and for the club, for him to go.”
Earlier this week, Reina rubbished “rumours” linking the Spain international with a move to newly-crowned La Liga champions Barcelona.
“I have my own contract with Liverpool for three more years,” Reina told Sky Sports News. “Nothing has changed.
“If so, we want to make it bigger and my future is with Liverpool.
“Right now, about Barça, there are only rumours and only people talking about possibilities. There are no facts. I cannot talk further on that.”