According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Everton have been linked with a move for David Lopez. The Espanyol defender could be on his way out of the RCDE Stadium with reports claiming that the Catalan outfit could slash their wage bill ahead of next season.
It is reported that Espanyol are willing to reduce their wage bill from €61m a season to €49m a season, which has attracted interest across Europe for some of their highest earners. David Lopez, in particular, has been a subject of some major transfer speculation in recent weeks with a host of clubs already vying for his signature and the list includes Everton.
Lopez, 28, is one of a long list of defenders linked with a move to the Merseyside this summer as Everton look to bolster their defensive unit before the start of the forthcoming campaign. It is believed that Barcelona sensation Yerry Mina is still their number target but Lopez’s recent situation at Espanyol has ignited their interest in the Spaniard.
The Espanyol club captain is regarded as one of the best players in the squad, having been an ever-present figure in the previous two campaigns. Since joining the club in 2016, the former Napoli defender has featured in over 120 appearances in all competitions with his last season’s performance helping the Periquitos achieve a respectable mid-table finish.
Everton, on the other hand, have struggled with their defensive unit in the past couple of seasons. Despite boasting the likes of Michael Keane and Ashley Williams, the Toffees lack depth in that area of the pitch. Aside from their first choice centre-backs in Williams and Keane, Mason Holgate is the only other reliable option in central defence.
In addition, veteran defender Phil Jagielka is almost on the verge of retiring while key defender Ashley Williams has already entered the final phase of his career. Thus, the addition of a top-quality centre-back is imperative for the Merseyside giants this summer.
David Lopez, in that regard, could be an ideal fit for the Toffees considering the fact that the Spaniard has an ample amount of experience in top-flight football, through his time at Espanyol and Napoli. Additionally, he is also regarded as a calm operator in the defensive half and could bring a wealth of stability in the Everton defence next season.
However, Marco Silva’s men could face stiff competition from the likes of Valencia and Real Betis for the services of the 28-year-old this summer. It also remains to be seen if Espanyol are willing to let go of their star defenders in the first place, knowing that the Spaniard could play a key role for the club in future.