Lopez Rules Out Following Jose Mourinho Out of Real Madrid
Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez has ruled out the possibility of leaving the Bernabeu this summer.
The 31-year-old was brought to the club by Jose Mourinho in the January transfer window after Iker Casillas was side lined with a hand injury. Lopez retained his spot in the starting 11 upon Casillas' return to the first team such was Mourinho's faith in the shot stopper, having started 25 games since his move.
With Mourinho set to return to Chelsea this summer, Casillas is likely to find himself back in contention immediately, leaving some to suggest that Lopez will look elsewhere for first team football this summer.
But the former Villarreal keeper has insisted he has no plans to follow 'The Special One' out of the club.
"The coach gave me an opportunity today and I tried to take it, like everyone," Lopez said following his sides' 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad on Sunday.
"I have a contract for many years. It is difficult to be unhappy at Madrid. I believe in competition for places and I believe the goalkeeping position will be open like any other place in the team. I am relaxed, trying to do things as well as possible."
A number of Real Madrid players have been linked with moves away from the Bernabeu ahead of a summer of upheaval in the Spanish capital. Fabio Coentrao has indicated he will look at other clubs in the coming months, while Sami Khedira has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
While Madrid continue to be linked with the likes of Isco, Edinson Cavani and Gareth Bale, the club will have to trim their current squad in order to finance their incoming deals this summer. However, club president Florentino Perez has insisted there will be no fire sale at the Bernabeu with every player to be sold for their correct price.
"I do not know if (Coentrao) will go, but whoever wants him will have to pay his release clause," said Perez. "He has played a very good season. We have not talked to Juventus (about Higuain)."
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