With Asmir Begovic likely to leave this summer, Chelsea have turned their attention to former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez who spent 2 seasons at Milan. Lopez will provide as an understudy to Thibaut Courtois who is the current number 1 at Stamford Bridge.
Gianluca Di Marzio reported last night that wantaway Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez is likely to sign with Chelsea for a fee of €10 million (via IFD). Lopez was signed by Adriano Galliani for free two years ago from Real. The Lombardy based club is all set to make a profit of €10 million from the potential sale which depends on the departure of Bosnian Begovic who spent one season with Chelsea after he was brought on as a replacement for Petr Cech who moved to Arsenal.
The Lopez Conundrum
It was Milan’s former coach, the Serbian, Sinisa Mihajlovic who had benched Diego Lopez after having a couple of bad matches. He was replaced by the vastly unknown 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, as the first choice keeper. Since then Donnarumma has established himself firmly in that position and has become somewhat of a sensation as Rashford has been with United.
Lopez’s demise, however, went largely unnoticed and it was a tad bit unjust having served Milan so well in the last couple of years. Last January he was eager to push for a move elsewhere in search of playing time. However, no clubs had come calling. In fact, his agent admitted even a month ago that there were no offers for his client in Italy or abroad.
New Destinations
It would be interesting to see how AC Milan replaces two of their reserve keepers, who are also set to retire in July, including Donnarumma’s mentor Abbiati who is a club legend now. The Brazillian Gabriel will perhaps be brought back from loan and given the second preference.
But Lopez shouldn’t be hopeful of playing time with this move to Chelsea since he will again be second fiddle to his more established Belgian counterpart who had previously played for the other Madrid side from Spain.
Daily Mail further reports that soon-to-be Chelsea boss is a great admirer of the Spaniard and is eager to see him at Chelsea. With Marco Amelia also set to leave, the Stamford Bridge club have offered a three-year contract to the 34 year old Lopez who has made 36 appearances in a Milan shirt.
