Liverpool Transfer News: Pepe Reina To Replace Victor Valdes At Barcelona?

By Joseph Dempsey / January 22, 2013

would be keen on a return to his former club, according to the Independent. The La Liga run-away leaders are set to lose current number one Victor Valdes who revealed last week that he will not be renewing his contract at the Nou Camp, and will leave "to broaden his experiences" when it expires next year. Barcelona would prefer to sell him this year rather than allow the 31-year old to leave for nothing in 2014, and it would seem that Pepe Reina would be willing to return to the club where he began his career as a youth team player in 1988, according to his father at least. Miguel Reina told radio station La Xerxa.

"I am absolutely convinced that Pepe would be more than delighted to return to his Barcelona, where they made him into an upstanding man from the time he arrived at the age of 12 until he left. "I say it publicly, I would be delighted to see Pepe back at Barca, of course I would. "What father would not like to see his son at Barca? He has already been there but to return would be extraordinary."

However, Reina signed a six-year contract at Anfield in 2010 which would put Liverpool in a strong bargaining position should Barcelona make a move for their keeper. Reina made his debut for Barcelona at just 18 and made 30 appearances having emerged from the youth ranks. He joined Villarreal in 2002 and moved to Liverpool in 2005, where he has won the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup. He has also enjoyed a successful international career with Spain, and was part of the squad which won the World Cup in 2010 and European Championship in 2008 and 2012. Should Liverpool allow Reina to leave? Who could be brought in to replace him? Share your thoughts below.