Since the arrival of Keylor Navas in 2019, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper has stabilized the position for Paris Saint-Germain. Over the last few years, the capital club has searched high and low for a reliable goalkeeper, but ultimately those they place their trust in were not up to the task.
However, before Navas’, Les Parisiens were reportedly in talks with another veteran goalkeeper. In an interview with L‘Équipe, Lazio’s Pepe Reina recounted his near transfer to PSG in 2017.
The French media outlet brought up that the 38-year-old has played in all the top leagues in Europe. However, the Spain international hasn’t played in France, and that’s when Reina revealed that he was inching towards a move to the French giants, but a deal never materialized.
“There was the possibility, but in the end, we could not do the transfer: Naples had not wanted to sell me at that time (in 2017), and I had not been able to go to PSG,” Reina said. “Last summer (with PSG), it’s true that there were rumors and stuff like that. But in 2017, there was a written offer, which Napoli turned down.”
It’s safe to say that the transfer for Reina not occurring ended up working for both sides. PSG has found their goalkeeper in Navas; meanwhile, Reina is in net for Lazio as they prepare to take on FC Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
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