5 Reina replacements

Victor Valdes' decision not to renew his contract with Barcelona has led to an almighty amount of speculation that the Catalan side will once again seek to bring a former player back 'home' from the Premier League. Like Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique before him, Pepe Reina is now apparently on Barca's list to replace Valdes between the sticks and return to the club he left a decade ago. While the 30 year old's form has been questioned somewhat over the past year or so, he is a big presence in the Liverpool dressing room and would be sorely missed if and when he eventually moves on. Below are five candidates that Liverpool may be looking to line up should the Spanish stopper up sticks to Catalonia.

Jack Butland 

Birmingham keeper Butland shot into the public's conscious in 2012 when he became Team GB's number 1 at the Olympics and also earned his first England cap against Italy. The 6ft 5in keeper is currently plying his trade in the Championship with Blues but has been linked to numerous Premier League outfits, Liverpool amongst them. He is just 19 years old and lacking in experience but his potential is obvious. He is a calming presence, especially for one so young and would likely command a large transfer fee. Whether he would be ready for the pressures of being a number one keeper at a huge club like Liverpool so early in his career is up for debate. Of course, Liverpool have signed talented young English goalkeepers in the past who were said to be destined for great things who failed to fulfil their potential such as David James and Chris Kirkland. Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu said early this January that Liverpool had been in contact with his club regarding Butland and should Reina depart, Pannu should probably expect another phone call or two from Ian Ayre.

Victor Valdes 

Barcelona's outgoing keeper Valdes grew up with Pepe Reina at La Masia and after a shaky period early in his career he eventually became the first choice keeper for arguably the greatest club side ever to grace a football pitch. Born and bred in Catalonia and now in his prime aged 31, it seems strange that Valdes has decided to leave Barcelona, but his decision suggests that a move abroad is uppermost in his thoughts. Valdes continues to divide opinion as he has for much of his career but whoever he signs for after leaving Barca will be getting a goalkeeper with a huge wealth of experience, unfathomable amounts of medals in his collection and a goal keeper who, like Reina, is extremely adept at using his feet. As Valdes has matured at Barca he has become far more vocal and a much more confident figure than the young boy who often looked like a rabbit caught in the Camp Nou headlights. He has won the Zamora award in Spain (given to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals to game ratio) on five separate occasions and would be a major coup for whichever club eventually take him from Barca. Reina and Valdes' careers have been linked since they were children and a straight swap of goalkeepers between Liverpool and Barcelona would offer a symmetry in-keeping with their careers to date.

Asmir Begovic 

Not much about Asmir Begovic stands out and perhaps that is what makes a top class goal keeper. Until recently the Bosnian international had gone under the radar in the Premier League but given Stoke City's impressive early season defensive record it is understandable that he has been linked with clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal this season. Begovic has been remarkably dependable for the Potters since he took their number one spot from Thomas Sorensen and his consistency recently saw him selected in Gary Neville's Premier League team of 2012 ahead of Joe Hart. He has Premier League experience and aged just 25 has his best years ahead of him. Any Premier League side in need of a goal keeper will be keeping tabs on the 6ft 5in stopper and while Stoke would demand a large fee for his services, it appears that he will be moving on to a bigger club soon should he maintain his impressive run of form.

Michel Vorm 

Vorm has flourished since joining Swansea City from Eredivisie outfit Utrecht in 2011. The Dutchman was outstanding last season for the Welsh side under Brendan Rodgers and would obviously fit into the now Liverpool manager's style of play easily. He has nine caps for Holland and given Rodgers' previous links with the Dutchman it is only logical that he would be on any short list drawn up by Liverpool in the event of Reina's departure.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen 

Often compared in his homeland with the great Oliver Khan and seen as one of Germany's outstanding young players, Ter Stegen has made waves in the Bundesliga already and become Borussia Monchengladbach's first choice goal keeper at the age of just 20. Extremely vocal and confident for one so young, he has already made two appearances for the German national team and is a huge talent. Ter Stegen has recently been linked with Real Madrid such is his potential and looks like being one of the top goalkeepers in the world over the next decade. The young keeper has distanced himself from a move from Monchengladbach recently but the lure of the Premier League could force a rethink.