Bayern Munich agree shock deal for Liverpool stopper

Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign out-of-favour goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the German champions have announced.

The Spain international has fallen out of favour with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers having lost his starting place to Belgium international Simon Mignolet.

Reina, who joined the Reds from Villarreal in 2005, became a firm Anfield favourite during an eight-year spell as the club’s recognised number one but was shipped out to Napoli on loan last season following the arrival of Mignolet.

Reunited with former manager Rafael Benitez, Reina enjoyed an impressive season in Italy, leading to suggestions he could yet have a future at Liverpool.

The Spaniard insisted he was happy upon his return to Merseyside this summer, but while he travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour of the United States, he failed to make an appearance and didn’t even make the bench for Monday night’s International Champions Cup final against Man United.

It was thought Benitez would enter talks to re-sign the 31-year-old on loan for another season in Italy, but it seems Reina is now set for a permanent move to the Bundesliga, in a deal worth a reported £2.5million.

A move to the German capital is a puzzling one for the stopper, who is reportedly keen to work his way back into Spain's international fold, as he is sure to find first-team football even more difficult to come by behind World Cup winner Manuel Neuer.

A statement from Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge read: "Pepe Reina was eager to come to Bayern Munich.

“The player will come in the next few days for medical examination to Munich and his contract to sign.

"He wanted to embark on this adventure even though he knows that, in Manuel Neuer, he has a keeper in front of him who, if nothing changes, will always remain the number one."