INJURED Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina is being linked with a return to his former club Barcelona.

With current Barca keeper Victor Valdes saying he will not sign a new contract with the Catalans when his current deal expires next year, Reina is being linked in the Spanish media with a return to the club where he started his career.

Reina’s father Miguel, who also played in goal for Barcelona, said the 30-year-old would be an ideal replacement for Valdes.

“Pepe has sufficiently shown his standing as a goalkeeper and I would even say I think he would be the ideal goalkeeper for Barcelona without a doubt,” he told Catalan broadcasters La Xarxa.

“I’m absolutely convinced that Pepe would be more than happy to return to Barcelona.

“For me I would love to see Pepe at Barca again. What father wouldn’t like to see his son playing at Barca? He’s already done that but to return would be extraordinary.”