Transfer news: Liverpool's Pepe Reina looks set to join Napoli on a season-long loan deal

Goalkeeper's position at Anfield looks under threat since Brendan Rodgers signed £9m Simon Mignolet

Pepe Reina Pepe Reina has seemingly always been linked with a move away from Liverpool, with United touted as one possible destination. However, with Victor Valdes announcing he will leave Barcelona, it's thought Reina will be approached to replace him. A return to the club he started his career at is sure to appeal more than a move to Liverpool's greatest rivals. (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina could be about to join up with his former manager Rafael Benitez with Napoli interested in taking the Spaniard on a season-long loan.

Reina’s first-team place has looked under threat since Liverpool signed Simon Mignolet on a £9m deal from Sunderland in June.

The prospect of having a high-earner such as Reina – who has just returned after Confederations Cup duty with Spain – appears to have influenced the decision to let him go to Italy.

With talks likely to take place between the Reina, Liverpool and Napoli, the 30-year-old will not travel to Australia as planned, with academy goalkeeper Danny Ward now set to fly out to Melbourne to provide cover for Mignolet and Brad Jones.

Napoli had looked to bring in Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper Julio Cesar on loan, but his wage demands and reluctance to accept a reduced salary appear to have halted any deal.

New manager Benitez will instead look to tie up the move for Reina, who he managed during his spell with Liverpool before he was dismissed by the club in 2010.