Report: Newcastle and Spurs table offers for Espanyol’s David Lopez

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Newcastle and Tottenham are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer.

Spanish website PericosOnline claim Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have both tabled offers for Espanyol defender David Lopez, with Mauricio Pochettino said to have contacted the player personally.

The 28-year-old centre-back has starred at the heart of Espanyol’s defence this season, missing just one La Liga outing through a yellow-card suspension as the Spaniards finished in a respectable 11th place.

Lopez helped Espanyol keep an impressive 12 clean sheets in the league and even scored the winner in the final league games of the season in an excellent 1-0 win away from home against Athletic Bilbao.

It is believed that Lopez has a release clause worth £35million, but it is yet to be seen if the two Premier League sides would have to stretch that far to land the uncapped Spaniard.

Known for his defensive nous and footballing intelligence, Lopez’s ability on the ball allows him to play in both centre-back and holding midfield. He has a contract with David Gallego’s side until the summer of 2020.

Pochettino is said to have spoken to Lopez, and could stand a better chance of landing the versatile star with the lure of Champions League football and the fact that Espanyol are one of his former sides – as both a player and a manager.

However, Newcastle boast a huge Spanish contingent at St. James’ Park, with Rafa Benitez and most of his coaching staff originating from Spain, as well as players Ayoze Perez, Jesus Games, Javier Manquillo and Joselu.