Málaga CF seeks central defense alternatives in the market

Málaga CF has closed its defense with the renewal of Einar Galilea and the arrival of Fernando Calero. However, the blue-and-white planning is not oblivious to the unexpected. The physical evolution of Álex Pastor, who has been out of competition for almost a year, and Diego Murillo, injured in the knee during the return of the playoff final against Almería, forces the team to keep its eyes open. The sports management trusts both players fully, but also knows that a season in Primera requires having alternatives. And Málaga, if necessary, has already begun to scout the market for central defenders.

One of the names that appears on the radar is José Marsá. The 24-year-old Catalan central defender currently plays for KV Mechelen in Belgium and passed through the FC Barcelona youth academy. His contractual situation, however, makes his incorporation not straightforward: he has a contract with the Belgian team until 2027 and the club does not contemplate a zero-cost exit. Mechelen considers Marsá an important piece of its defense and would only study a transfer. However, the fact that the central defender is in the last year of his contract could significantly reduce his price. Málaga is managing a scenario that could place the operation around €1 million.

Marsá is not the only name that sports management is handling. According to Radio MARCA Málaga, Carlos Domínguez, central defender of RC Celta, also figures in the agenda of Loren Juarros. The blue-and-white club would have inquired about the situation of the Vigo defender, who could not be in the plans of Claudio Giráldez for this season. Domínguez, in fact, has participated in the Celta preseason and has played three friendly matches with the Galician team. However, his future remains open and Málaga remains attentive to his situation.

The club's priority remains trusting in the recovery of Pastor and Murillo and in the solidity of a line that, with Galilea and Calero, was already considered closed. But the jump to Primera requires not lowering the guard. Marsá and Carlos Domínguez are two names that Málaga has under control in case the market demands a movement in the central defense.