Report: Newcastle United and Crystal Palace target Pau Lopez

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Premier League duo Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are looking at Espanyol’s Pau Lopez.

It is fair to say Pau Lopez probably expected more from his spell at Tottenham Hotspur.

The highly-rated goalkeeper arrived at White Hart Lane from Espanyol on a season-long loan with a full season of first-team La Liga football under his belt.

But Lopez was treated like an up-and-coming reserve at Spurs and did not make a single appearance for the senior side throughout the campaign.

Although since returning to Spain, the 23-year-old has only enhanced his reputation as one of the continent’s most impressive young shot-stoppers.

It is understood by Sport (27 January, front page) that Lopez has even been offered a return to England with both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace on the lookout for a new number one before the January transfer window slams shut.

The former Spain under-21 international is a free agent at the end of the season and, after starring in his 19 La Liga appearances in 2017/18, would look like a superb bargain addition for one of the two Premier League relegation battlers.

Lopez would be an excellent addition for a Newcastle side lacking funds to bring in established names while it seems that Palace have missed out on signing Vicente Guaita from Espanyol’s league rivals Getafe.

Sport, however, understand that Lopez would rather stay in Spain and agree a new deal with Espanyol. You can see why he might be wary of a return to England.