Espanyol’s David Lopez had been linked with Fulham.
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, Espanyol have offered a new contract to defender David Lopez as they look to fend off interest from Fulham for good.
The Cottagers have been heavily linked with the 28-year-old centre-back this summer, with The Sun (June 20, page 55) reporting Fulham having two bids – the latter being in the region of £17.5 million – turned down for the player.
Spanish editorial AS claimed La Liga side Espanyol weren’t willing to accept any offers less than his reported £37.5 million release clause, and now it seems they are going one step further to preserving their prized asset.
Mundo Deportivo report an agreement over a new contract could be completed by this weekend, with Espanyol looking to make him feel more content at the club after it was suggested Fulham were ready to treble his current wages.
Slavisa Jokanovic is still looking to bolster his Fulham squad after promotion to the Premier League last season, and a new centre-back is high on his list of priorities.
With Espanyol’s captain Lopez now looking like a no-go, Swansea City £25m-rated centre-back Alfie Mawson has emerged as a new target with Sky Sports reporting the west London club’s interest.
Fulham have managed to bulk up this summer with the additions of Jean Serri and Andre Schurrle on loan, but signing a new defender could make all the difference when it comes to Premier League survival.
The figures which have been branded about for the likes of Lopez and Mawson may seem excessive, but that seems to be the going rate for top-flight Premier League players these days.
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