Jump directly to the content
REUNION

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez ‘agrees reunion terms with Pepe Reina pending decision over Napoli future’

Deal rests on how resentful keeper Reina is of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis after end of season dinner rebuff

Rafa Benitez’s hopes of being reunited with ex-Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina still hang in the balance.

Reina, 34, is thought to have agreed terms to join Newcastle United after his old boss led them back into the Premier League.

Pepe Reina and Rafa Benitez back in their Liverpool days together

News Group Newspapers
4
Pepe Reina and Rafa Benitez back in their Liverpool days

But now the player who has been at Napoli since 2015 has to decide if he actually wants to leave the Italian club.

Newcastle fans are actually wondering why Reina is even considering staying put.

For there has been a bust-up with president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Things came to a head after De Laurentiis stood up at the club’s end of season dinner party, turned to Reina and told him he “has to to give up some outside distractions to become stronger”.

Yolanda Ruiz, the goalkeeper’s wife, was at the event, and she reportedly got up and walked out.

Reinas wife Yolanda Ruiz walked out of the Napoli end of season dinner

Getty Images - WireImage
4
Reina’s wife Yolanda Ruiz walked out of the Napoli end of season dinner

Now Reina must decide if he wants to stay with the Italians

Getty Images
4
Now Reina must decide if he wants to stay with the Italians

Reina has been with Napoli for the past two years

Getty Images
4
Reina has been with Napoli for the past two years

De Laurentiis reportedly tried to insist he was just making a joke.

But that explanation fell on deaf ears.

After the meal, Reina tweeted: “The true elegance is to remain indifferent to people who are worth little.”

Ruiz later took to Instagram to say: “When the rulers lose their shame, those who obey lose respect.”

Reina’s contract expires in 2018, but many now believe the keeper is heading to Newcastle this summer.