Reports in Spain, repeated in the British press, claim that Liverpool have now agreed a deal with Villarreal for their keeper Jose Reina.
The reports suggest that a fee of £8million will be paid. The reports go on to say that this amount was what was required to trigger a release clause in his contract.
The keeper is 22 years old and the contract Liverpool are said to be offering is for three years, with an option for a further year. Manchester United have also been linked with him.
He has the same agent as Reds boss Rafael Benitez and midfielder Luis Garcia. He was asked recently about a possible move to Anfield and said, "Everyone would be excited at the chance of playing for a big club. Liverpool are building an important project looking to the long term rather than the short term."
Liverpool have struggled to keep clean sheets this season, and have already used three goalkeepers. Scott Carson is considered one for the future. Chris Kirkland has been injured throughout his time at Anfield and it’s possible that Liverpool are running out of patience. Jerzy Dudek is a good keeper but prone to mistakes, and again the boss’s patience may now be wearing thin – he has got a few more matches to prove his worth to the club though, starting tonight against Chelsea.
Rafa looks set to be busy this summer – other reports are linking the Reds with Real Madrid’s Figo.