Reported Tottenham target Maxime Lopez was compared to Andres Iniesta and told he could replace Philippe Coutinho

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According to a report from Estadio Deportivo, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly a fan of Marseille midfielder Maxime Lopez and could make a move for the player this summer. 

The report suggests negotiations over any contract negotiation at Marseille have fallen apart for the midfielder, amid the club’s financial problems. 

It means that Marseille are looking to sell Lopez this summer and have placed a €10 million (£8.9m) price-tag on his head, although he could be willing to discuss a deal at a lower price. 

Mourinho is said to be a big fan of the player and will be ‘pushing’ the management at Spurs to start negotiations regarding a deal for the player. 

Whilst Lopez may have struggled to force his way into Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas’ plans this season, he is clearly a talented player. 

Not only has Zinedine Zidane previously waxed lyrical about the ‘outstanding natural talent’ to Goal in the past, but Lopez has also been watched by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

SPORT reported in 2017 that the El Clasico rivals were ready to battle for the player who was being considered as ‘Iniesta-like’ with his displays. Lopez later admitted to Canal Football Club that his agent spoke to Barcelona after his breakthrough at Marseille but the interest from the Catalan giants went to his head. 

Liverpool also tried to sign him. Lopez told Football Club de Marseille last year that he had ‘just refused Liverpool’ in 2014 and regretted it after Marcelo Bielsa decided he was not ready for first-team football. 

 “Yes, they (Liverpool) said to me: `In five years you get Coutinho’s place!’

“They approached me in a good way. I even met Steven Gerrard at the stadium after a game.

“I wanted to go there, but also to stay at OM. To go like that, at this age and even with your family, is very hard. I had noticed that they had thirty young professional players, not to mention the incumbents. You really have to be mentally prepared.”

In 2017, Lopez told L’Equipe he had indeed received an offer from Liverpool, had met Steven Gerrard, and was told he could be Philippe Coutinho’s eventual replacement at Anfield. 

Somewhere along the line, Lopez has struggled to progress into the player many expected he might. However, at just 21-years-old, there is every chance that the midfielder may still have the ability to become the world-beater many felt he could. 

Jose Mourinho appears to believe he is worth the risk.