Premier League newcomers Fulham are reportedly eyeing another big-money deal with Espanyol’s La Liga captain David Lopez.
According to AS, Espanyol will not sell their influential captain for a penny less than his £37.5 million release clause. And this could scupper David Lopez’s chances of a move to the Premier League this summer.
AS adds that newly promoted Fulham are interested in signing the 28-year-old Spaniard; a holding midfielder who has been redesigned as a centre-back to great effect in La Liga.
And the Sun (20 June, page 55) claims that Fulham have now seen two bids for the one-time Napoli man rejected, having offered £13.5 million and £17.5 million.
It is understood that the Cottagers could stretch themselves to £20 million but, with his price-tag through the roof as it stands, Slavisa Jokanovic is starting to look at other options.
If Lopez wants to get his chance to impress in English football, he will need the Catalan club to lower their demands.
Fulham have shown real ambition in the transfer market this summer, landing the coveted Jean Michel Seri alongside his former Nice teammate Maxime Le Marchand.
The Cottagers have also been linked with big-money moves for Bordeaux winger Malcom and last season’s loan star Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is expected to arrive from Newcastle for £20 million according to the Standard.
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