There has been much debate on this website, mostly churned up by media speculation and rumors in general, about the possibility that we might lose the services of our keeper Pepe Reina come next summer (wonder what the Spaniard is aiming his sights at in the above picture?).
While many will consider this an outrageous proposition, there have been factions of fans (albeit in the minority) that do not seem to be bothered about seeing the Spaniard leave. The latter seem motivated by suspicions that Reina’s agent and perhaps even the player himself have made themselves available for an approach from Arsenal and Man Utd (which we all know are looking for a quality replacement for next season). Both these Clubs have goalkeeping issues that need to be solved in time for next season’s campaign.
Obviously, all the possible scenarios here are based on pure speculation and may all boil down to nothing, but then as we have witnessed in January; anything can happen in the blink of any eye and as longs as there is money and ambition involved, the sky’s the limit, and many a times, loyalty is brushed aside like there’s no tomorrow.
I would not be at all surprised to start seeing reports of top goalkeepers linked to the Reds in the coming weeks and months, and it’s no secret that high caliber shot-stoppers such as Lloris, Stekelenburg and Neuer are in fact rumored to be on the move next summer. It is also likely that Utd and the Gunners will opt for one of these three options which will probably work out to be a cheaper option than having to pay the hefty buy-out clause on Reina’s contract.
The player himself has made no declarations in this regard but then again no one thought Torres would leave just a few hours before the transfer deadline. Now I know for a fact, and I will commit here and include myself with the majority of you, that most will want the Spanish keeper to stay, and this for many reasons which are obvious to everyone. Everyone has a dip in form now and again, but Pepe has been a fantastic goalie for the Reds, and he is loved by the fans and highly respected in the football world.
Reina has become a world-class keeper since joining the Reds from a relative unknown quantity and is also our third-choice captain, and there is no doubt that he is in the hearts of the majority of Liverpool fans. Today I have three questions for you:
1) Will Pepe Reina leave Liverpool in next summer transfer window?
2) Do you think that eventually, like Mascherano and Torres, he will hand in a transfer request?
3) If he does leave, who do you see replacing him?
Fire away people!