Monday, 5th May, 2014
Napoli are ready to give up on their bid to keep goalkeeper Pepe Reina at the club due to concerns about the Spaniard's salary.
Reina is on a season-long loan at the Serie A side from Liverpool and has impressed between the sticks, most recently helping Napoli to win the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina on Saturday evening.
The Azzurri have been clear that they wish to keep Reina on a permanent basis, while the goalkeeper has insisted he will discuss his situation with Liverpool at the end of the season.
Now, according to southern Italian daily Il Mattino, Napoli are set to give up on plans to capture Reina due to concerns about the goalkeeper's high salary.
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The Coppa Italia winners are now looking at promoting back-up goalkeeper Rafael to the first choice spot between the sticks.
Rafael was brought to Napoli from Santos last summer, the Italian side splashing out €5m and earmarking the shot-stopper as a future number 1.
The 23-year-old has won three caps at senior level for Brazil.
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