On Monday, Shanghai Seaports regrouped to prepare for the new season, but only Oscar, a foreign player, was left in the lineup. According to a report by Korean media outlet Osen on February 25, Shanghai Seaports did not notify another foreign player, Lopez, to return to the team, as his high salary forced the team to make a choice - to say goodbye to him.
As mentioned in the report, Lopez was transferred to Shanghai Seaport from Jeonbuk Hyundai of South Korea in 2020, where he made 157 appearances in the Korean league, scoring 52 goals and registering 33 assists. However, Lopez unfortunately suffered a serious injury during a team training session at the end of September last year and was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, bringing his season to an early end and missing out on the F.A.C.A. Cup and the Chinese Super League's title contenders group of matches. After communicating with the club, Lopes returned to Brazil and underwent surgery a month after the injury. Prior to his injury last season, Lopes made 14 appearances for Harbour in the first phase of the Chinese Super League, contributing four goals and one assist.
Last year, Lopes had rumors of a transfer to international player Fenerbahce, but ultimately failed to come to fruition. In an interview with Brazilian media in January, Lopes, who is recovering from an injury, said he would focus on the 2022 season, adding that "in the new year, I will give my best to improve my personal stats and contribute to the team on and off the field." Recently, he posted a video of him running on a treadmill on social media, but the seaport side has decided to part ways with Lopes due to the Chinese Super League's salary restriction policy.
Regarding the reasons for Lopez's possible departure from Seaport, a source revealed, "Lopez's high salary has put Shanghai Seaport under tremendous pressure, and the club has stated that it is unable to continue to work with them or else they will not be able to keep their current players. Lopez has also been made aware of the club's policy and is currently in talks with clubs in several leagues and will probably be leaving Seaport."
The article concludes by stating that Lopez himself has been informed of the Harbour Club's decision, and as a result has been contacted by a number of clubs in several leagues, and is likely to bid farewell to the Harbour for the new season.
