Brendan Rogers expects Pepe Reina to remain at Liverpool next season.
The 30-year-old has been at Anfield since the summer of 2005, and he has gone on to prove himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. However, he has been linked with a return to Barcelona ahead of the transfer window reopening, which would see him link up with a club he represented 30 times from 2000-2002.
With Victor Vales out of contract in a little over 12 months’ time, there have been suggestions the Camp Nou club could offload him now rather than lose him for nothing at the end of next term. The 31-year-old has already told the Catalans he will not be signing a new deal, as he instead seeks a fresh challenge abroad.
An offer for Reina, who has 26 international caps for Spain, would seem like a logical move for the La Liga giants. However, the former Villarreal man remains under contract on Merseyside until 2016, and Rodgers is certainly in no rush to sell him. Indeed, the Reds boss fully expects to count upon his first choice keeper next season.
“It’s that silly season now that starts up all the rumours and whatnot but Pepe’s not for sale,” he said. “He’s got three years left on his contract here, he’s happy and obviously there’s speculation but it’s not worth commenting on.”
