Lopo the target

[Scottish Mag 3]

Newcastle are considering a move for Espanyol star Albert Lopo as they look to bolster their defensive options in January.

 

With Graeme Souness' rearguard decimated by injuries, the need for New Year reinforcements is clear. And centre-back Lopo has come under the Magpies manager's microscope, along with Wigan left-back Leighton Baines.

 

At 25, Lopo has more than 150 La Liga appearances to his name, along with a reputation as a no-nonsense stopper. Despite picking up a rash of red and yellow cards along the way, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester United have all monitored him in the past.

 

But with Souness obviously short of manpower at the back, and Lopo's current contract due to expire in the summer, Newcastle now head the Barcelona-born player's queue of English suitors.

 

Espanyol insist that they will do all they can to persuade Lopo, and their highly-rated goalkeeper Carlos Kameni, to put pen to paper on a new deal in the Catalan capital. But there is little prospect of them being able to match the wages on offer to either man from bigger Spanish clubs, or in the Premiership.

 

Meanwhile, United coach Dean Saunders attended his second England Under-21 game in succession in midweek . . . with Baines (right) the focus of his attention. The 21-year-old is a product of Wigan's youth system - and the Latics would fight tooth and nail to keep him.

[Optimistic Nut 188]

Also been linked with Anelka, Woodgate, Gudjohnsen & Gallas in some of the other papers.

[Scottish Mag 3]

Also been linked with Anelka, Woodgate, Gudjohnsen & Gallas in some of the other papers.

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http://www.toontastic.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2198

 

[mrkikiet 0]

Lopo is no better than what is currently at Newcastle. Although he is probably very keen to get the hell out of Espanyol at the moment. A pretty disastrous season after uefa cup qualification last year.