While he has been announced as leaving since the start of the transfer window, Pau Lopez is still an Olympique de Marseille player. The Spanish goalkeeper was announced to be on the side of Como, in the Italian Serie A, but his inflexibility during negotiations, particularly concerning his emoluments, caused the operation to fail. It was Ruben Blanco and Simon Ngapandouetnbu who occupied the Olympique goal during the first preparation matches, while waiting for the Spaniard to leave and another goalkeeper to arrive on the Canebière. Lopez, who perhaps hoped to wear down his leaders and force them to keep him and relaunch him as number one, may have to come to terms with it.
According to La Provence, the twists and turns surrounding this failed transfer have caused a lot of internal irritation. The Pablo Longoria-Mehdi Benatia pair, who now work in Marseille, are said to be bitter and the two men swear to anyone who will listen that “whatever happens, Pau Lopez will never wear the OM jersey again.”
Mandanda’s shadow never left him
A rather sad end for a goalkeeper who certainly never completely replaced Steve Mandanda in the hearts of Marseille supporters, but who still managed to complete some quality exercises, notably under the orders of Jorge Sampaoli and Igor Tudor.
Last season, Pau Lopez confessed on Canal Plus to suffering from mental health problems linked in part to the criticism he has received since his arrival in Marseille. At 29, the former Tottenham and AS Roma player should still be able to find a buyer if he agrees to join a team that is perhaps less exposed to the media and a little less prestigious.
In three seasons with OM, Pau Lopez has conceded 104 goals in 95 Ligue 1 matches.
