Reina reveals near Arsenal move

The Liverpool goalkeeper wanted permission to talk to Arsene Wenger after Rafa Benitez left the club.

“Part of me felt that I was well within my rights to consider my future even if I did so with a heavy heart.

“When Liverpool received the bid, they rejected it.

“This was not because I had been told that I was too good a keeper to leave. The reason I was given was quite different – and it left me feeling down.

“I was told that my continued presence was crucial to the sale of the club. I was simply a bargaining chip in the sales process.”