Espanyol coach Quique Sanchez Flores is hopeful of keeping hold of Diego Lopez.

The AC Milan goalkeeper's loan is coming to an end, though he has expressed an ambition to remain with Espanyol next season.

Asked about the prospect of signing Lopez outright, Sanchez Flores said: "Until I see it I do not think so, but I think Diego will continue.

"He has been a patient type, a great professional, it is possible that we will have the luck to have him for the next years."

Lopez's deal with Milan runs to 2018.