Lopez was one of the world's top 5 goalkeepers, if not even top 3 last year (with Curtois and Neuer). We don't have any player that is even close to the world top 10 on his position. Maybe De Jong is closest to that. So we would be crazy not to take him over any other unproven goalkeeper, especially in this momment when we need all the confidence behind that we can get. I like Abbiati, but his mistakes in very bad momments helped that we crawl in the beggining of the last year. Signing Lopez would help as improve for at least 2 positions on the table. Now there is other side of the medal. He is not that young and at best he should be able to play 5 years top class. Which for a player you sign for free is really great. As somebody before said we would finally lock this position for some time and we will have enough time to find somebody who will come afterwards. 5 years in football is a long long time, and maybe in that time we will be financially able to exploit the market better. And don't forget in 4 years there is another world cup, and a year before and during world cup there are many opportunities. If we bring him we can guaranty safety on a goal until that period. And his wage is really not that elevated considering how much we are paying for some unuseful players who are not worth even mentioning.
But does anybody finds quite redicoulus that Real is giving away Lopez to us as a gift? After Kaka too. Ok, friends are friends, but it is not like paying a bill in a restaurant. It is like giving away 5 milions at least. I think the next time we will be gift givers, and we will wrap De Sciglio under Real's Christmas tree.