As Pochettino’s efforts to build a great squad at Tottenham continue, an addition is about to be made to the Spurs’ ranks soon as a permanent deal is in place for Espanyol goalie Pau Lopez, with the north London side willing to activate the £6million buyout clause in the loan deal that brought the 22-year-old to White Hart Lane last summer.
Pau is yet to make a single appearance for Tottenham’s senior team, with all of his appearances in the last 6 months coming only with the club’s under-23. But he has impressed the club enough and has been identified as a great addition to the goalkeeping department on a permanent basis.
This represents a great deal for Spurs as they have got one of the best goalkeeping prospects on their hands in Pau Lopez. The former Spain youth international emerged from within Espanyol youth ranks to establish himself as a prospective and undisputed backup to Kiko Casilla during Pochettino’s brief stint at the Catalan club, and history seems to be repeating itself all over again.
Lopez’s quality quickly came to the fore as he took over the goal upon the departure of Kiko Casilla to Real Madrid at the beginning of last season. The 22-year-old went on to make 36 La Liga appearances, keeping out goals on 7 occasions and helping the team to a respectable 13th place finish on the table.
The arrivals of Diego Lopez and Roberto Jimenez, however, allowed Espanyol agree to a loan move for Pau, and he now appears to be on his way as the undisputed and potential backup to Lloris first, and a future number 1 in between the sticks for Tottenham.
His performances in training definitely have done a lot of convincing, and those heroics behind closed doors will soon be brought into the spotlight. Dutch goalie Vorm remains a worthy backup, but the future of the former Swansea man at the Lane is now set to come under huge threat.
The 33-year-old has made just 29 appearances in 2 and half seasons since he left the Liberty Stadium, hardly putting a wrong foot in those games and proving to be a great cover to Lloris, yet his participation as from next season is bound to decrease, with Pau Lopez expected to step up in his place.
The 22-year-old would begin life as Lloris’ long-term replacement in earnest next term, and Vorm would most likely leave for elsewhere in order to get more playing time. The Netherlands international was an unused sub at the world cup in 2014 where the team won 3rd place, but he needs to play more regularly if he is to make the squad next year, and he has a chance to participate with Krul’s injury standing in the way of the Newcastle goalie.
To save his international and club careers, an exit is ideal for Vorm, and it was always going to come to this when Pau Lopez arrived. By the end of the season, he would have just a year left on his contract, and for the club, it would be the last chance to sell him for a decent fee.
As for Lopez, he would be expected to take charge of cup games and readily step in whenever Lloris is unavailable, and take charge anytime the 30-year-old decides to call time on his Tottenham career. For £6million, acquiring the services of the Spanish goalie no doubt represents good business, and it’s a deal they stand to benefit from in the long-term.