AC Milan goalkeeper Pepe Reina might be joining Aston Villa in the January transfer window on a six-month deal with the option of a further year.
The 37 years old has been with the Serie A side since 2018 after joining from Napoli. He has, however, played 13 games and has served mainly as back-up to Italian number one Gianluigi Donnarumma. It is understood that Reina misses the Premier League and the Spaniard is eager to return to competitive action after been with Liverpool for six years.
Reina believes he can still perform at the top level and a return to England is imminent with Villans manager Dean Smith desperate for a goalkeeper to take the place of first choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton suffered a season-ending injury.
According to Sportsmail, a short term contract for the former Spanish international is in place which will see him stay at the Villa Park till end of the season with a further 12-month option triggered if Villa avoid relegation.
Pepe would be the second signing of the January transfer window for Villa after securing the services of Danny Drinkwater on a six month loan deal from Chelsea on Tuesday. Also, the club desperately needs a striker after losing record signing Wesley Moraes through injury which will keep out of the season.
To fill up the void left in their striking position, Villa are also interested in signing Reina’s Milan team-mate Krzysztof Piatek. The striker has fallen down the pecking order at the San Siro following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and has been the subject of interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham. And according to The Guardian, Jose Mournho’s side are set to overtake Villa in the race to sign the striker.
Milan would be willing to ship out the 24-year-old if they can recoup the £30m they paid Genoa last year. but Villa are understood to have asked for a loan with view to permanent £25m move for the Poland international.
