30 Dec 2016

Deal Close? Liverpool keen to sign 'fantastic' €48k-a-week Madrid hero. Offer expected within days

Liverpool are once again being linked with ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport this week:

"Liverpool could make an offer in the coming days for Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopez. The bad performances of Karius and Mignolet have prompted Klopp to move for a new goalkeeper".

Liverpool were last linked with Lopez a year ago, with multiple reports claiming that Klopp gave the 'green light' for a swap-deal with Mario Balotelli. Some info about Lopez:

* AC Milan goalkeeper who is currently on loan at Espanyol. Contract expires: June 2018.

* Real Madrid goalkeeping coach Villiam Vecchi's assessment: "He [Lopez] is a fantastic guy. I've seen him get angry in training when someone scores. He's good with his feet, and good in the air. His best attribute is his reflexes. He can move very quickly despite being 1.96m".

* 2013-14: Kept Iker Casillas out of Real Madrid team during the club's Champions League winning season, and according to Jose Mourinho: "Diego López was the best player in my team".

* Villareal/Real Madrid: 371 goals conceded in 303 games (One every 72 mins). 92 clean sheets (30% of games).

* Milan: 56 goals conceded in 37 games (One every 59 mins). 6 clean sheets (16% of games)

* Espanyol: 11 goals conceded in 14 games (One every 111 mins). 7 clean sheets (50% of games)

Lopez appeared to regress at Milan, but he's bounced back at Espanyol to the extent that his primary stats this season are superior to both Mignolet and Karius. Additionally, Lopez definitely wants a move to the Premier League, and he confirmed this last season, when he told ESPN:

"I always wanted to play in the Premier League...and time is running out. I am not closing any doors at all".

Unfortunately, Lopez is 35 now, so he's obviously not the long-term solution. As such, this transfer doesn't appear to make much sense...

* Reportedly on €48k-a-week


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