Loaned by OM to Girona, Pau Lopez should break his contract with the Spanish club to join RC Lens. This arrival could unlock the departure of Brice Samba.
A new participant in the waltz of Ligue 1 goalkeepers. As reported by several media, information that RMC Sport is able to confirm, Pau Lopez (30 years old) is very close to joining RC Lens. The Spanish goalkeeper, who still belongs to OM, will break his loan to Girona. He would enter into a commitment with the Sang et Or in the form of a new loan with an option to purchase.
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The Spanish goalkeeper left OM this summer to join Girona, third in La Liga last season. But he did not play a single minute in the league or the Champions League, having to settle for a start in the second round of the King's Cup on December 4 (elimination on penalties against a fourth division team).
Samba departure unlocked?
Arriving in Marseille in the summer of 2021 from AS Rome, Pau Lopez played 127 matches in all competitions in the jersey of OM, with whom he notably finished second in Ligue 1 in 2022 and third in 2023.
This very probable arrival could unlock the departure of Brice Samba to Stade Rennes. At the end of last week, Lens decided to cancel the transfer of its French international to the Ille-et-Vilaine club. But the Breton leaders did not give up. “The negotiations are still in progress. They are tense,” confided Pierre Dréossi, the general director of Lens, Sunday on DAZN. “There are far too many rumors. It's a long negotiation, it's been going on for around ten days but there is no agreement.”
According to the Sang et Or manager, the possible departure of Brice Samba was however “anticipated” on the Lens side and “there is a good chance that a goalkeeper will arrive within a few days”. The lucky one therefore has a good chance of being Pau Lopez.
