Pau López’s anticipated move to Lens has been abruptly called off, with Girona deciding they cannot afford to let the goalkeeper leave ahead of critical Champions League matches against AC Milan and Arsenal.
The transfer had progressed to the point of a medical and public announcements by Lens and Marseille, but Girona intervened at the last moment.
Pau López, on loan from Marseille, was expected to finalise a deal that included a €4m purchase option. However, Girona reversed course, citing the need to maintain squad depth.
Without López, Girona would be left with Paulo Gazzaniga as their only senior goalkeeper registered for Europe.
Reserve keepers Jordi Bilali (17), Lucas García (20), and Pau Funallet (17) lack Champions League experience, and neither Juan Carlos (36) nor Vladyslav Krapyvtsov (19) is registered.
Lens, now in a bind, have already sold their first-choice keeper Brice Samba to Rennes for €14m, assuming López would arrive.
Meanwhile, López has resumed training at Girona under Míchel and is set to stay at least until January 29, after the club’s showdown with Arsenal.