Napoli Confirm Interest in Signing Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is edging closer to the Anfield exit-door after Napoli reaffirmed their intention to sign the Spanish international on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell.

Reina has kept nine clean sheets in 28 league appearances for Napoli this season in helping the club all-but qualify for next season's Champions League and win the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina.

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is keen to secure a permanent deal for Reina and Napoli sporting director Riccardo Bigon told +N tv: "Reina is a very important player both on the field and off.

"At the end of the season we will talk with him and Liverpool, we are interested to hold him here.

"He has been fine in Naples, he has a very close relationship with the coach (Rafa Benitez) and also his family has settled very well."

After Liverpool signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland last summer, Reina took his leave from Merseyside in inauspicious circumstances despite enjoying eight successful seasons at the club.

Brendan Rodgers had initially blocked Reina from joining Barcelona but upon learning the Spaniard wanted to leave Liverpool, agreed a loan deal with Napoli without his knowledge, spoiling the relationship between the two parties.

After helping Napoli win the Coppa Italia last weekend, Reina said: "Lifting the trophy is not a minor triumph. In fact, I hope it can be the first of many trophies, though we need a more complete squad.

"It is a victory dedicated to the fans. The first part of the game was played very well and we pressed Florentina high up the field, then our opponents emerged over time."

Napoli require a point from their final three Serie A matches to secure the third Champions League place ahead of Fiorentina and face Cagliari on Tuesday with the opportunity to cap an impressive first season of Benitez's reign.