Willy Caballero is understood to favour a move to Chelsea above Newcastle United, who could be dealt a second blow in their pursuit of an experienced goalkeeper after deciding that Pepe Reina’s valuation is too high.
Caballero is a free agent after being released by Manchester City and has been offered deals by both clubs. Newcastle, the newly-promoted club, are offering a higher salary than the champions but Caballero is believed to prefer to want to move to London, where he would be a back-up to Thibaut Courtois. Asmir Begovic, last season’s reserve, has joined Bournemouth.
Caballero enjoyed his best moment for City when he saved a string of penalties against Liverpool in the 2016 League Cup final. The 35-year-old made 48 appearances in total having signed from Malaga to be reunited with Manuel Pellegrini, City’s former manager, in 2014.
Newcastle’s goalkeepers are Rob Elliot, Karl Darlow and Matz Sels. Tim Krul and Freddie Woodman are also scheduled to return from loan spells at AZ Alkmaar and Kilmarnock respectively.
Rafa Benítez, the Newcastle manager, has explored the possibility of a third reunion with Reina at St James’ Park this summer, having already signed the 34-year-old for Liverpool and then Napoli. Newcastle have resisted meeting Napoli’s £5 million valuation as the goalkeeper has only one year left on his contract.
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Maurizio Sarri, who led Napoli to third place last season, said that he wanted Reina to stay at the Italian club.
“Pepe has been for us an amazing guy and I hope he will continue to be,” Sarri said. “He is an absolute reference point for the staff, to the locker room; he is a man of great moral values, of humanity and football, and he submits them to the group. I hope he remains our goalkeeper. He’s fundamental also in the way he thinks. He’s a faithful man, who is loyal to the coach, and Pepe brings this feeling into the dressing room.”
