It’s a good job those in charge at Espanyol think a great deal of Mauricio Pochettino, because if not then Tottenham may well have already burnt their bridges.
Interested in Pau Lopez for several weeks, and initially making an offer of €2m for the 21 year old who was this year called up to Spain’s full squad, Tottenham were said to have accelerated things in recent days.
On Wednesday, Mundo Deportivo said a deal was basically done, and Pau would be moving to Tottenham on loan for the coming season. A loan fee of €500k would be paid, and then there’d be the option of making the deal permanent for €7m.
Pau’s buyout clause at Espanyol is €15m, and the club had initially wanted €5m as a straight transfer, but as the window grows older they are becoming less open to the idea of an exit.
Marca disagree with Mundo Deportivo, although tellingly they both have the same €500k and €7m figures.
It’s explained by Marca that a Premier League approach for Pau was always expected by the leaders of Espanyol, because his characteristics suit English football. However, the approach wasn’t expected to be this summer, and Espanyol probably thought they could wait a few years and see the player’s value rise.
There’s been disagreement about whether Pau should be Espanyol’s number one next season, or if 30 year old Roberto, who arrived from Olympiacos, should be the man.
With it looking like Roberto is to get the nod, Pau’s future is less sure. He may well be a substitute at Tottenham, but if he was going to be that at Espanyol anyway then a move makes more sense than previously.
Marca state that Tottenham’s loan offer has been turned down. This is a highly rated young goalkeeper, Espanyol see no reason to give Tottenham a try-before-you-buy deal.
Pochettino’s role at Tottenham and standing at Espanyol means talks continue in a friendly manner, explains the Spanish newspaper.
