Former Spain International: Liverpool Star Wants to Return Home

Former Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper Miguel Reina claims he is convinced his son Pepe Reina will be happy to leave Liverpool in order to join the Catalan club, as a replacement for contract rebel Victor Valdes.

Valdes, has refused to extend his Barcelona contract, which is set to expire in the summer of 2014. The Mirror reports the La Liga outfit are looking to sell the stopper at the end of the season, rather than letting him go as a free agent one year later, and are now considering a move for the Reds star.

Reina started his career at the Barcelona academy La Masia and went on to feature 30 times for the Spanish league leaders during 2000-02, before moving to Villareal and then Liverpool. And Pepe's father Miguel claims the player would be delighted to return to Camp Nou, as a replacement for Valdes.

"I am absolutely convinced that Pepe would be more than delighted to return to his Barcelona. They made him into an upstanding man from the time he arrived at the age of 12 until he left. I say it publicly, I would be delighted to see Pepe back at Barca, of course I would. He would be up to the task and would make an ideal keeper for them," Pepe's father, Miguel said.

An earlier IBTimes UK report suggested the Spanish players in Barcelona team are keen for Reina to replace Valdes. In addition to this, Atletico Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois, currently on loan from Chelsea, is also on the Spanish giants' radar, while Manchester United stopper David De Gea has also been linked with a move to Camp Nou, according to the Daily Mail.

Reds Veteran Wants More Game Time

Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed his desire to continue playing regularly for the Reds and would not prefer to sit on the bench. The 34-year-old has made 10 appearances in the league this season, including a start during last weekend's tie against Norwich City.

"The manager has always kept me involved by having me on the bench or bringing me on in different situations. But listen, I want to start. I'm no different to any other player. I'm just pleased he gave me the nod on Saturday and pleased it went well," Carragher explained.