Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina plays down Barcelona transfer talk

Reina surprised by Victor Valdes' decision to leave Barcelona

Jose Reina has admitted surprise at Victor Valdes' decision to quit Barcelona, but played down speculation he will be the man to replace him at the Nou Camp.

Valdes announced last month that he would not renew his contract at Barcelona when it expires in 2014, leading to speculation over who will replace him.

Reina is surprised by the decision of Valdes, who came through the youth set-up at the Catalan club.

"I was surprised because Victor is with the best team in the world," Reina told MoviStar.

Reina was immediately put forward as a possible replacement, particularly considering his ties with the Spanish side.

Reina made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 18 and made a total of 30 appearances having come through the youth ranks, before leaving to join La Liga rivals Villarreal and eventually moving to Liverpool in 2005.

His father Miguel recently said his son would be keen on a move to the Nou Camp.

"I am absolutely convinced that Pepe would be more than delighted to return to his Barcelona, where they made him into an upstanding man from the time he arrived at the age of 12 until he left," Miguel Reina told radio station La Xerxa.

"I say it publicly, I would be delighted to see Pepe back at Barca, of course I would," added the former Barca and Atletico Madrid keeper.

However, Jose Reina has restated his commitment to Liverpool.

"When I sign a contract I fulfil it and I have signed with Liverpool until 2016," he said, before adding: "Barcelona is the best club in the world.

"I know what it means because I trained there as a player and as a person."