Italian press reports claim that Manchester United have sent scouts over to Italy to monitor the progress of Liverpool loan-out Pepe Reina.
Manchester United manager David Moyes is reportedly looking for back-up for current number one shot-stopper David De Gea, and has turned his attentions to Napoli’s on-loan Spanish goalkeeper Reina.
According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Italia, Moyes sent his scouts to Naples to watch Reina in Napoli's Europa League match with Swansea City on Thursday.
Although some feel that Manchester United scouts were more likely in Italy to look over Napoli’s star midfielder Marek Hamsik – a player who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past – Sky Italia seems fairly positive that the scouts were there, in fact, to cast an eye over Liverpool’s Reina.
Following Liverpool’s signing of Simon Mignolet at the beginning of the season, Reina looks to have played his last game for the Reds, especially as current Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is thought to be in the market for a back-up keeper himself. Reina has been out on-loan with Napoli, managed by former Liverpool boss Rafa BenÃtez, since the summer.
During his stay at Napoli, the 31-year-old has started 18 Serie A games for the early season title-contenders, and the fact that he is soon likely to be a free agent will doubtless result in Napoli trying to make the loan deal permanent.
It's also difficult to see why a potential move to Manchester United would appeal to Reina, who remains a top goalkeeper who can command first-team football, especially on the continent.
And if Manchester United keeper Anders Lindegaard wishes to leave this summer in a bid for more first-team football himself, then surely Moyes and his staff will prefer to work with Ben Amos as cover for De Gea – and not look at bringing in the out-of-favour Liverpool player. This suggested deal doesn't seem to make much sense for any of the parties.
