Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Want Cristian Tello In Pepe Reina Swap?

Cristian Tello Liverpool will demand Crisitian Tello if Barcelona come calling for Pepe Reina this summer, say the Mirror. The newly crowned Spanish champions are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper following Victor Valdes' decision to refuse a new contract and are prepared to pay £10 million for the services of Reina, who came through the Barcelona youth ranks as a youngster between 1988 and 1999 before breaking into the senior side in 2000. Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers has consistently maintained he is reluctant to lose the Spanish international, but would be willing to listen to offers if Tello was included as part of the deal. The 21-year old Spaniard can operate both as a striker or as a wide attacking player and it is this sort of versatility that Rodgers is looking for in his new-look Liverpool team. Tello is said to have an £8.5 million release clause in his contract and, having failed to break his way into the starting XI this season, will seriously consider leaving the Nou Camp in the summer. Barcelona meanwhile are said to be keen on bringing Reina back to the club he graced as an 18-year old, and his knowledge of how the club operates is thought to be attractive to coach Tito Vilanova. The deal however will hinge on whether Tello is prepared to join Brendan Rodgers' revolution and quit a club where he has been limited to just 11 starts in La Liga this season.
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Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.