Delete
Paul Baysse, arriving in Malaga with his children on Monday.
Still hurdles to overcome in pursuit of defenders

Still hurdles to overcome in pursuit of defenders

Paul Baysse visited the city for two days but left unconvinced and without having a medical, while Jorge Meré has stated that Malaga is his preferred destination

a. góngora/ s. cortés

Friday, 23 June 2017, 12:53

Compartir

Malaga have done the easy part. They have identified their two main targets to reinforce their defence this summer; they want Frenchman Paul Baysse who is coming to the end of his contract with Nice, and Sporting Gijón youngster Jorge Meré on loan. The hard part is still to come - getting the deals over the line.

The club have made an offer to Baysse, 29, who came to the city on Monday, alongside his family to see what the city has to offer, but also visit the school that their children would be attending.

Having already received a ringing endorsement from club legend Jérémy Toulalan, it was hoped that a three-year deal could be signed and a medical concluded before he left on Wednesday but that wasnt the case. It is believed that he wants more time to consider the other offers he has on the table.

Missing out on his signature would be a big blow for Malaga who identified him as their main target after the confirmed departures of Weligton and Martín Demichelis and the expected departure of Diego Llorente who is wanted by Real Sociedad despite agreeing to extend his loan by a year.

Head coach Míchel knows him from his time in France and rates him for his experience and leadership on the field.

With Luis Hernández as the only recognised first team centre half (backed up by youngsters Mikel andLuis and the versatile Miguel Torres and Federico Ricca), Malaga hope to recruit at least two central defenders this window:an experienced professional and a player with a promising future. Baysse is the top target for the former post while Sporting Gijóns Jorge Meré fits the bill for the latter.

Meré is an automatic starter for the Spain under-21 side so Malaga are aware of the urgency of the situation. They want to get a deal over the line before the European Championships progress and he has further opportunities to impress.

The player has a clause in his contract that allows him to seek a loan move to a LaLiga side should Sporting be relegated (as was the case this season).

Malaga is the 20-year-olds preferred destination given the presence both of Míchel as head coach and Luis Hernández, his former teammate but the club do not want to risk losing out so have issued an ultimatum:its now or never.

Malaga, of course, have other options and may well turn to them as they start to lose patience with their main targets.

The club is also working hard to secure exits for the out favour Bakary Koné and Mikel but interest has been thin on the ground.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios