After the shambolic early-season performances of Ben Foster and with Edwin Van der Sar fast approaching retirement, you couldnt blame Alex Ferguson for setting his sights on landing an accomplished goalkeeper to take over the dutchman´s mantle. Igor Akinfeev´s name has already been banded around the english press, but according to ´Marca´ it seems he has fixed his gaze upon Diego López of Villarreal.A couple of things from Marca´s article will raise a few eyebrows and surely question Ferguson´s faith in Foster. Firstly it seems he is prepared to do a deal in January, which shows just how strongly he feels about the need to strengthen that position. Secondly, it appears he is prepared to pay the 35m euro buy-out-clause to land him during the January transfer window.
Now Diego López is a solid enough goalkeeper, but he is not worth 35m euros, not even in todays ´madrid-inflated´ market. He is generally regarded as Spain´s fourth choice goalkeeper behind Casillas, Reina and Palop, and in fairness rightly so. A great shot-stopper, useful with his feet, and usually commanding in the area....but he is also susceptible to the odd clanger, and one would think the pressure that would come with filling Van der Sar´s boots could prove a challenge too far for the ex-Real Madrid keeper.