Top La Liga clubs monitoring Málaga defender | OneFootball

Málaga youth team player Izan Merino is attracting attention from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal, Sevilla and Real Betis, according to Estadio Deportivo.

A 16-year-old central defender, the youth team player has played 755 minutes in 10 matches this season, divided between the two youth teams (A and B) and Atlético Malagueño.

Villarreal is the team that is most interested in signing the talented teenager, according to BeSoccer. At the time of writing, no official offers for Merino have been reported, although it is expected that several will arrive in the coming months.

Merino has a contract with Málaga until 2024, and will have to decide whether to stay with his hometown club or make the step up to Primera.

He has not yet trained with Málaga’s first team, although head coach Pepe Mel is expected to follow his development very closely, especially after the long-term injury to Moussa Diarra, another centre-back and former youth team player.