Rafael Benitez: 'Pepe Reina will return to Liverpool'

Napoli boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that the club cannot afford to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina on a permanent deal this summer.

The Spain international enjoyed a season-long loan spell at the Stadio San Paolo last term, making 30 Serie A appearances for the Partenopei.

However, Benitez reveals that hefty wages are preventing a permanent switch from being completed, and tips the 31-year-old to challenge Simon Mignolet for the number one shirt at Anfield next season.

"Pepe has two years left on his contract with Liverpool so I think he has to go back and stay there," the former Liverpool manager told talkSPORT.

"We cannot afford his wages at the moment. The Premier League is very important and we can't pay big salaries in another country like they do in England so Pepe will go back and he will fight for his position."

Reina's Liverpool deal expires in 2016.