Lens, France — The transfer of Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez to the French club Lens has been officially scrapped.

On Wednesday evening, Lens announced that Lopez will not be joining the squad on loan from Marseille, following the departure of Brice Samba, who has moved to rival Ligue 1 team Rennes.

Currently, Lopez is on loan with Girona in Spain’s La Liga and had already completed his medical examination with Lens. He was poised to join the training sessions with his new teammates on Thursday.

Despite reaching a verbal agreement involving Lens, Marseille, and the player, the deal has now been terminated. Lens stated that Girona expressed its desire to retain the goalkeeper until January 29, creating terms that were deemed unacceptable by Lens.

“In light of this condition, Racing has decided to withdraw from the agreement,” the club confirmed in their statement.

This sudden change leaves Lens with the challenge of filling the gap left by Samba as they continue their campaign in Ligue 1.