United Consider Bid For Spurs, Chelsea & City Target?

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Premier League Champions Manchester United are considering a move for goalkeeper Diego Lopez at La Liga side Villarreal, who is also understood to have been the subject of an approach from Chelsea this month, according to reports in Spain.

Tottenham Hotspur along with the Red Devils local rivals Manchester City have also been linked with 27-year-old Lopez recently, with the Spanish keeper impressing in La Liga since his £5million switch from Real Madrid in 2007.

Lopez first caught the eye of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with his displays against the Premiership side in two goalless draws in the Champions League for El Submarino Amarillo this season. With the Scot praising the Spaniard after the clash at the Estadio El Madrigal.



Ferguson is now understood to be considering a bid to bring Lopez to Old Trafford as he searches for the long-term successor to Man United No1 Edwin van der Sar, but is sure to face stiff competition from Chelsea, who are also eager to recruit the former Los Merengues keeper.

However, Villarreal are unlikely to let Lopez, who was a pivotal figure in last seasons campaign in La Liga in which Villarreal finished second leave the Spanish side, with Lopez under a long-term contract in Spain until 2014.

City Tracking Buffon Alternative?

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Manchester City have widened their search for a new goalkeeper at the Premier League club, with it believed that scouts from City were in Spain at the weekend to run the rule over Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez.

27-year-old Lopez has been at Villarreal since joining from La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2007 after failing to dislodge Spain and Los Blancos No1 Iker Casillas from between the posts at the Bernabeu.



City have been strongly linked with a move to bring Italian International Gianluigi Buffon from Juventus to the Eastlands Stadium, with a big-money move being mooted for the Azzurri stopper in January. However, Juve have rejected any talk of Buffon leaving La Vecchia Signora, which has led the Premiership club to Lopez.

Lopez, who is regarded as one of the top keepers in La Liga and is valued at around £28million, has also attracted the attention of several other clubs. Although no firm offer has been made for El Submarino Amarillio keeper, who is under contract at the Estadio El Madrigal until 2014.

City scouts were understood to have watched Lopez in the 2-1 defeat to Primera Division leaders Barcelona over the weekend, with it remaining to be seen if Man City will follow up their interest with an offer for the Spaniard when the transfer window reopens in January.