ASTON VILLA are locked in talks with AC Milan in a desperate bid to replace crocked Tom Heaton with Liverpool legend Pepe Reina.
Dean Smith has been forced into the transfer market for a new No1 after Tom Heaton was ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.
Aston Villa are chasing former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina
And Villa are hoping to convince Reina, 37, to have another spell in the Premier League after rotting on the bench at the San Siro.
The Spaniard has played just once this season, in the 2-1 Serie A win away to Genoa, as he sits below Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order.
Aston Villa are hoping his frustration will force him into a move this month.
The club are facing a battle to avoid relegation this season sitting just one point above the drop zone and a goalkeeper of Reina’s experience – and Premier League know-how – could be vital.
Reina spent nine years in the Premier League with Liverpool between 2005 and 2014, winning four trophies – including the 2006 FA Cup – after joining from Villarreal.
The former Barcelona youth product has since played for Bayern Munich and Napoli – featuring 182 times for the Italians in four seasons, one on loan.
But since joining Milan in the 2018-19 season, Reina has played just five times in the league – 13 in total.
On last shot at first-team football could be all the motivation the 36-cap former Spain international needs to return to England.
Villa are set to be busy this month, having already secured the signing of Chelsea flop Danny Drinkwater on loan for the rest of the season.
And Smith is hoping to beat Newcastle to the signing of another Milan star, Krzysztof Piatek.
The Polish forward, 24, is surplus to requirements at the San Siro following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Villa will hope to replace another of their injured stars, Wesley, with him – while Christian Benteke and Emmanuel Adebayor have also been linked with a move.
Joe Hart and Jack Butland are also being monitored as potential replacements for Heaton at Villa.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
