Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with the young goalkeeper but it seems he is now staying in Spain next season.
According to a report from Spanish newspaper AS, Pau Lopez will remain at Espanyol next season to act as back-up to Diego Lopez.
This comes just days after rival newspaper Sport suggested a deal to bring the 22-year-old to Tottenham Hotspur had finally been agreed, after the player spent last season on loan at White Hart Lane.
It was reported at the time that Tottenham would pay just £2.17million for the player, which was far less than Espanyol had initially been hoping for. However, with other ‘keepers leaving the La Liga side this summer, their coach is said to be unwilling to sign a new number two and will instead keep Lopez as back-up.
If true, it is another twist in a transfer story that was somewhat bizarre from the start. After all, Tottenham signed Lopez on loan when they already had Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm on their books and as a consequence the Spaniard failed to make a single first-team appearance for Spurs.
With just a year left on his contract, Vorm will leave in 2018, but at that point Lopez could be a free agent, making a move far more likely…and sensible.
As it is the 22-year-old would surely rather be second-choice at one club rather than third-choice at another, and it seems Espanyol have made his mind up for him.
Tottenham looked to have bagged a bargain for just over £2million. However, they could get him for even less if Lopez sees out his current contract before returning to England in 12 months.
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