ESPN FC BLOGS

CLUB BLOGS

Paper round-up: Reina left Red-faced

Posted by ESPN Staff

Jose ReinaEmpicsPepe Reina could find himself looking for a new club next summer

Pepe Reina has become the unwarranted target of transfer speculation, with rumours circulating that Brendan Rodgers is in the market for a new goalkeeper. According to the Daily Mail, Rodgers is considering moves for Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland and German Ron-Robert Zieler, with one of them likely to be a long term replacement. It will also be a wake up call for Liverpool's second choice 'keeper Brad Jones who relished the opportunity to step up in Reina's absence through injury. The Mail also reports that Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince are close to finalising a deal with the Anfield club.

Swansea could have a battle on their hands to keep star striker Michu, with Serie A clubs Napoli and Genoa reportedly interested in the Spaniard after his match-winning brace against Arsenal on Sunday. A Napoli insider revealed in The Sun that many clubs have already begun attempting to negotiate with the Swans: "Italian clubs have asked about Michu and demanded details about his situation. A player that can score 10 times in the Premier League will interest any big club." But Swansea are confident they can fend off any rival bids.

Andy Carroll just can't stay out of the papers, even through injury, with the Mirror reporting that West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has jumped to the defence of the 23-year-old who allegedly assaulted a photographer outside a nightclub. Nolan said: "Someone is trying to fabricate a story and that is the disappointing thing." At least the Hammers are keen to keep Carroll on their books. When asked if the Englishman would be sent back to Liverpool in January, West Ham chairman David Gold simply said: "We did not get him from Argos."

Following the death of a Dutch linesman during a youth football match near Amsterdam on the Monday, all amateur games have been cancelled this weekend. The Telegraph reports that two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old are set to be charged with manslaughter for the attack on volunteer linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen and this weekend's fixtures are suspended as a mark of respect.


ESPN Conversations


To comment, you must be a registered user. Please Sign In or Register

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.