Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina will find himself in the embarrassing position of being a permanent substitute if a move to Barcelona falls through, the Mail on Sunday reports.

With manager Brendan Rodgers set to complete the £9million transfer of Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet by Wednesday, Reina’s options are running out.
Although Rodgers will not publicly dismiss Reina and last night claimed in a radio interview that Mignolet will provide competition for the Spaniard, he has already decided to give Mignolet the first shot at establishing himself.

Reina, 30, is being forced to wait on a switch until Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes sorts out his future. Valdes fancies a final big payday with Monaco.

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Aroune Kone has opened the door to a move to Liverpool or Everton by declaring he wants to quit Wigan, The Sun reports.

The Ivory Coast striker scored 13 goals after his £3.5million move from Spanish club Levante last summer and helped the Latics win the FA Cup.

But Kone could not keep Roberto Martinez’s side up - and has no intention of playing in the Championship.

He said: “You always have ambitions as a footballer, and I don’t intend to play in the English second division.

“Wigan have gone down, which is a real shame. It’s up to them to set out their stance about my situation. I aim to play for one of the best clubs in England, and I hope I will get the chance.”

Liverpool, Everton - managed by Martinez - and Crystal Palace lead the race for the 29-year-old, now rated at £10m.

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The Sun also reports that Arsenal are battling it out with Liverpool to sign Schalke’s £12 million-rated centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger tracked the Greece international two years ago and is considering making a move.

With Ashley Williams’ switch from Swansea now looking unlikely, Papadopoulos has emerged as an alternative.

The tough-tackling and was a target for AC Milan last season.

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Swansea City captain Ashley Williams is keen to leave the Welsh club this summer with Arsenal his preferred destination, The Telegraph reports.

Williams has been one of Swansea’s breakthrough stars during their two seasons in the Premier League, and with his 29th birthday looming the centre-back feels the time is right for a new challenge.

Williams, who is also captain of his national team, has been in south Wales for five years and, having spent a large chunk of his career outside of the top flight, is conscious of the fact that he needs to make the most of the time he has left.

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In Italy, Cassano is set for his third switch in as many years as he prepared to leave Inter and join Parma, just one year after joining the nerazzurri from neighbours Milan who had brought him from Sampdoria the previous season.

There was talk that Genoa were also interested in his services but Italian media report that they pulled out of the deal.

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Juventus have offered young striker Gabbiadini as part of the deal to bring over Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina.

Juventus are keen to sign a striker to add to their potential in attack and the young player, who starred in Italy’s Under 21 side in the recent European championships, could settle Fiorentina’s nerves. The viola are however also seeking David Villa from Barcelona.