The father of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has revealed his son would relish the opportunity to rejoin Barcelona, the club he first joined as a 12-year-old.

The revelation comes days after current Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes publicly stated he would not be extending his existing contract at the Camp Nou, prompting manager Tito Vilanova to begin the search for a potential replacement.

Miguel Reina, who was also a shot-stopper for the Blaugrana, has put his son firmly in the frame to replace Valdes by touting Pepe as the “ideal” Barca keeper.

“He would be more than delighted to return to Barcelona,” Reina told Laxaraxa.com.

“He did well from the moment he arrived there as a 12-year-old to when he left. I think Pepe has sufficiently demonstrated since then the quality of goalkeeper that he is.

“Nowadays, I think he would rise to the occasion. He would be ideal as the Barcelona keeper, certainly.”

Pepe Reina penned a four-year deal with Liverpool in 2010, which will run out in 2014.