Liverpool close to Reina deal

JOSE REINA appears closer to a transfer from Villarreal to Liverpool, after the goalkeeper revealed his excitement at the possibility of moving to Anfield.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Champions League winners, although a fee between the two clubs has not been finalised.

Jerzy Dudek was first choice at Anfield last season but is expected to move on, despite his penalty shoot-out heroics in the Champions League final win against AC Milan.

Reina is one of a series of stoppers coach Rafael Benitez is looking at, after recruiting youngster Scott Carson from Leeds last season.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Smicer appears set to leave Anfield for French club Bordeaux. The Czech Republic international, who arrived from Lens for £4.2million in 1999, has struggled to make an impact on the first team because of form and fitness.