Each transfer window offers its share of little stories and anecdotes. In the past there was the real-false transfer of Florian Thauvin to LOSC. We can also mention the case of Nabil Fekir, who had passed his medical examinations and taken his photos in the Liverpool jersey. But the Frenchman ultimately stayed at OL. In 2025, Pau Lopez also experienced a terrible mishap. Loaned last summer by Olympique de Marseille to Girona, the Spanish goalkeeper did not really have the opportunity to relaunch in Spain since he only played one and only match during the first game of the 2024-25 season. A situation which did not escape the Racing Club de Lens, which was looking for a goalkeeper to replace Brice Samba who was about to leave for Rennes.
Things quickly came together as the goalkeeper passed his medical exams and the northern club made his arrival official on January 7. “From Catalan “blood and gold” to Blood and Gold! With his extensive high-level experience (360 matches including 48 in European competitions), Spanish international (2 caps) Pau Lopez joins Artois. Endowed with excellent reflexes and a good kicking game, the 29-year-old goalkeeper is on loan from Olympique de Marseille, until June 2025, with an option to buy. explained the official press release. Except that this arrival was canceled the next day. The Lensois have published a new press release to explain the situation.
Michel and Girona commented on the Pau Lopez case
“While a total agreement had been found between the Racing Club de Lens, Olympique de Marseille and Pau Lopez, the arrival of the Spanish international is canceled. Girona FC informed Olympique de Marseille today of its firm desire to keep the player until January 29, an unacceptable condition for Racing who are thus renouncing this signing. In the process, we explained to you the underlying story of this incredible story. Then, OM gave its version of the facts yesterday. And this Friday, Roberto De Zerbi was also questioned on the subject. “He’s a very good goalkeeper but these are things managed by Medhi Benatia and Pablo Longoria, I don’t know what to say.”
After all these reactions, all that was missing was that of the main interested party and Girona. This Friday, the Spanish club spoke on the subject through its coach Michel. At a press conference, the latter confided: “The player asked for permission to undergo the medical examination with Lens and we gave it to him, but nothing more. The club asked me for my opinion and I told Quique Cárcel (the sporting director) that I wanted Pau to stay here because I think the club needs to grow and he is a player who makes the team better is the truth. And that’s it. It’s true that we had in mind the consultation for the Champions League, but if he was not happy, there was a possibility that he would go to another team, but I always said that I was counting on him.”
A departure cannot be ruled out according to the Iberian press
He added: “the role of each player is day to day on the pitch and I don’t want to say that I don’t count on him. He is a player who helps the club grow and it is important that he stays with us. He is a very responsible man and that is normal. I talked to him and I think it’s good that he’s back to normal. Nothing happened, just a photo (with Lens, editor’s note).” For his part, Pau Lopez remains silent. But Estadio Deportivo revealed this Friday that the goalkeeper does not rule out a change of scenery this winter, he who does not have enough playing time to his liking. Information confirmed by Sportwhich indicates that the goalkeeper will honor his contract at Girona but that nothing can guarantee that he will still be at the club if an interesting proposal arrives at the end of the transfer window after January 29. Pau Lopez will only leave if he receives an interesting sporting offer.
For example, he is not considering going to an exotic destination. So if nothing interesting happens this winter, he’ll wait until this summer. And Sport adds that he will not continue with Girona, where he is Gazzaniga’s luxury understudy. Asked about a possible departure of his player after the end of the group stage of the Champions League, Michel confided: “I don’t know what will happen, but I have already said that if he leaves, it will be a significant loss in the sense that the competition for the goal will be less good. We would only be left with Juan Carlos and Krapyvtsov. With Pau, we are very well covered for this position. He is fine, he trained normally and in that sense, it is normal.” He is also present in the group which will face Deportivo Alavés this weekend. A return to normal for Pau Lopez, who experienced the roller coaster this week.
