Pepe Reina has admitted speaking to Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, with whom he shares a special relationship, but says there was never any prospect of him joining his former coach at Napoli at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were linked with veteran goalkeeper Reina when they were searching for a replacement for Thibaut Courtois.




Reina only joined AC Milan earlier this summer following the expiry of his contract with Napoli, but the Rossoneri could have made a quick-fire profit on his sale.

The shot-stopper admits he spoke to Sarri, but only to wish him luck at Chelsea, with a move back to England never on the agenda.
 


"No [he didn’t call me], I called him to wish him good luck and ask how he was in London", Reina told a press conference.

"There was never a chance to go Chelsea and I never even thought about it because I had already made a decision.

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"I want to face this challenge, which will be beautiful, to help Milan rise again."

Reina also addressed his relationship with Sarri, who he played under at Napoli, and dubbed their friendship "beyond football".

"I can thank him for all he has done for me and wish him well.

"Our relationship is beyond football and this is the least I can do", the former Liverpool goalkeeper added.

Chelsea signed Kepa from Athletic Bilbao for a world record fee for a goalkeeper of £71.6m to replace Courtois.