Rafa Benitez has been given £10million in order to try and sign desired target Pepe Reina for Newcastle United, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claim that Benitez has been frustrated in his pursuit of the Napoli goalkeeper for months, and is using doubts over his unhappiness to get the funds out of Mike Ashley to sign him.
The Sun report that Napoli would want more than £10million for Reina with Benitez believing he is worth the outlay.
The same report believes Reina’s wages would be a stumbling block, but that Ashley knows that failure to sign players could see Benitez walkout on the Magpies.
It’s believed that money has been set aside for Newcastle United to also pursue a new striker, with the Magpies able to offer up to £100,000-per-week.
Benitez worked with Reina during his time at Liverpool, with the pair winning several honours together.
Despite being 35-years-old, the goalkeeper is still the first-choice at Napoli, making 27 appearances this season.
The Magpies are searching for a goalkeeper as neither Rob Elliot or Karl Darlow have impressed enough in the Premier League this season, to justify being the clear number one choice.
Good move for Newcastle?
Yes. This could be a key signing for the Magpies, which would stop them from being relegated.
The experienced goalkeeper is still putting in fine performance and is several classes above Elliot and Darlow.
Reina has Premier League experience, having 285 times in the league for Liverpool, and would bring a veteran presence to a struggling team.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
No. While it’s pleasantly surprising that the Magpies have £10million to spend on a goalkeeper, if Napoli want more, there’s nothing Newcastle United can do.
The Italian club are in no need to sell their first choice goalkeeper, and if the Magpies don’t have the funds to tempt them, then it’s game over.
This looks like another case of Newcastle United being linked with a fantastic player but not having the resources to see a deal through.
This Is Futbol rating: 2/10