Liverpool poised to complete summer deal for 29-year-old Belgian

Napoli could make an approach for Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to replace Pepe Reina, according to several reports. Having been loaned to Napoli during Mignolet’s first season at Liverpool, Reina joined the Italians permanently at the start of the 2015/16 season, following a single season in Germany with Bayern Munich.

Reina’s contract at Stadio San Paulo expires at the end of the season and the Italian club are targeting Mignolet to replace the ageing Spaniard. Napoli are prepared to pay €20m to take Mignolet to San Paolo, where he would replace Reina – just as he did at Liverpool in 2013, according to Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad (h/t Liverpool Echo).

Football Italia reports that the Serie A leaders are also monitoring Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno.

Mignolet, who turns 30 in March, is frustrated at the constant competition with teammate Loris Karius. Karius has been handed the gloves for Liverpool’s last two games – the FA Cup win over Everton and Sunday’s 4-3 victory against runaway league leaders Manchester City.

With manager Jurgen Klopp confirming that the German is now set to remain his first choice between the sticks, Mignolet’s future at Anfield is in serious doubt.

“10 days ago, after the game against Burnley, I had a conversation with Klopp,” Mignolet told Sporza.

“In the Christmas period we had rotated again and I felt that that was not a healthy situation for a keeper. Klopp then told me when Sunday was confirmed before and after the match, but of course I’m not happy with that, but no heavy words have come afterwards.

“Klopp told me that honestly and personally in that interview, of course I am not satisfied with that, but I always have to respect the trainer’s decision. After everything that has happened this season, I know where I stand and the situation has become clearer.

“But of course I also have to think about my own future, the only thing I can do is focus on the training and do my best. I’m 30 years old and the World Cup is coming in. This situation cannot last too long, that’s clear. I cannot say more about it.”

With Mignolet likely to depart Anfield after the end of the campaign, Klopp will look to sign a goalkeeper in the summer, with Roma’s Brazilian international Alisson on the Reds’ shortlist.