According to Marca, Real Madrid are keen to secure the services of Diego Lopez this summer. The Espanyol goalkeeper has been identified as the desired replacement for Keylor Navas, who looks set to join Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish giants want to sign Lopez for just one-year and plan to consider youngster Andrii Lunin as their primary alternative for Thibaut Courtois next season.
David Lopez’s vast experience
Lopez was formerly a member of the RM Castilla and was even promoted to the Real Madrid senior side way back in 2005. However, he moved to Villarreal in 2007, where he made 230 competitive appearances before transferring to Sevilla in 2012.
The 37-year-old featured in only 12 matches for Sevilla and eventually returned to Real Madrid in January 2013. He was considered as the prime alternative for Iker Casillas. But, the arrival of Navas in 2014 saw him leaving to AC Milan, where he made 37 appearances.
Lopez now plays for Espanyol after initially joining the club on loan in 2016. He has already featured in 93 matches for the Catalan outfit in all competitions. And throughout his professional career, the veteran ‘keeper has notched up an astonishing 317 La Liga appearances – making him one of the most experienced players in Spain right now.
Is Lopez a good signing for Navas?
Lopez could be a smart investment for Real Madrid for multiple reasons. Firstly, unlike most other ageing goalkeepers, the 37-year-old has played a decent amount of football within the past three years. Hence, he could be beneficial, especially for a team that needs a new keeper to play second fiddle to Courtois this season.
But most importantly, Lopez, as mentioned earlier, is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in Spain. His vast experience, not only in Spanish football but also at the Bernabeu, could be instrumental in his bid to succeed at Real Madrid, though he is unlikely to receive too many opportunities.
The Espanyol keeper could be a good alternative for Navas, who, given his quality, will demand regular game-time. Also, the Costa Rican international might make lucrative wage demands as well. That means his departure could be useful as Real Madrid look to fund a move for Neymar or at least for some other attacking midfielder this summer.
Lopez, to that end, is a cost-effective, short-term replacement for ex-Levante star and with Lunin waiting on the wings, it could turn out to be a feasible deal for Los Merengues.
