Reina Heads to Napoli for Medical as Liverpool Exit Nears – Report

Pepe Reina is believed to be en-route to Italy for a medical with Napoli as the Liverpool goalkeeper looks set to call time on his eight year stay in England.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admitted that the two clubs have been in contact in recent days over a season-long loan for Reina but made it clear that no agreement had been reached.

However, reports in Italy suggest that the two clubs have already exchanged contracts and that the 30 year old will undergo a medical within the next 48 hours.

Reina's Liverpool career had been cast in doubt once the club signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland and Rodgers made it clear that he may be forced to allow the Spaniard to leave in order to trim the wage bill.

"Financially it was something that we needed to look at," said Rodgers. "That would be the reason (to move Reina) as you wouldn't move on a top goalkeeper. It (the situation) reared its head over the last couple of months and I had to prepare by bringing in another keeper.

"Pepe is a good guy. I've a lot of time for him, and he understands what I want to do totally. He's got a big season ahead because it's a World Cup year and one where, if he wasn't going to be playing, could severely harm his chances of going."

The Spain international is said to have already agreed personal terms with Napoli and it seems he is now set to be reunited with former manager Rafa Benitez.

Reina will have the chance to once again compete in the Champions League if he joins Napoli and his strong relationship with Benitez - who brought him to Liverpool back in 2005 - would likely make him the number one at the club.

Should Reina leave Anfield then it would signify a major changing of the guard after Jamie Carragher also retired; the pair being two of the longest serving players at the club.