Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham United are reportedly in a three-way tussle to sign AS Roma goalkeeper Pau Lopez, who is said to be valued at €40 million.
Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo have named three London clubs that are genuinely interested in Pau Lopez. The Spaniard, who is currently the first-choice between the sticks for AS Roma, is on the radar of Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham United as a potential summer target.
Pau Lopez is reportedly a €40 million target for the London trio and is a key man for AS Roma, who are vying for a Champions League spot for the next season. Despite football resuming, though, AS Roma will have to go through a crucial streak of matches without Pau Lopez, who is currently sidelined with a broken wrist.
49 – Manuel Neuer has been involved in 49 open play sequences which have ended with his side having a shot in 2019-20, the most of any goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues:
49 | Manuel Neuer
41 | Pau López
40 | Kepa Arrizabalaga
39 | Mat Ryan
37 | EdersonFoundations. pic.twitter.com/kgd0Apm0uQ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2020
But, he separation could be permanent, if the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham make a move. Although there is widespread interest from bigwigs, it is worth noting that Pau Lopez hasn’t had the best of seasons, with the Spaniard letting in 35 goals in 25 Serie A games and keeping only 5 clean sheets between the sticks.
Chelsea have had a Kepa problem for a while now. The Spaniard has disappointed, especially for someone who the club paid a world record fee as far as a goalkeeper is concerned. With one of the worst recorded statistics in Europe, it would be an understatement to say Chelsea should be in the market for a new first-choice if things don’t improve.
Tottenham need a long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris and Pau Lopez could be an ideal fit, with the goalkeeper having spent a period at the club earlier under Mauricio Pochettino. Lopez was highly rated by the Argentine manager, with Spurs still holding an interest in the AS Roma goalkeeper.
West Ham are in a similar territory, with their current options Lukasz Fabianski, Darren Randolph and David Martin aged 35, 33 and 34. Randolph is likely to return to Middlesbrough after his loan spell ends this season. West Ham will probably present Lopez’s best opportunity at being a starter from the get-go, if he does decide to switch to the Premier League.
LONDON’S CALLING ?️
Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Chelsea are looking to upgrade between the sticks with Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez. Roma are willing sell the 25-year-old for £36m. (Estadio Deportivo – in Spanish) pic.twitter.com/ujlGwKKnxE
— The Transfer Exchange Show (@TheTransferEx) June 15, 2020
The speculated price of €40 million is not too steep considering Lopez is only 25 and a key member for AS Roma, who would want to get enough of a return in order to be able to reinvest into a new goalkeeper, if they want.
Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham are three financially well-off clubs and would not hesitate at the prospect of spending €40 million for a long-term signing like Pau Lopez.