Headline: Real Madrid Prepares for Match Against Malaga with Focus on Former Target Izan Merino
Real Madrid is gearing up for their third La Liga match of the season as they face Malaga, aiming for a third consecutive victory.
Los Blancos will encounter a player they once sought to add to their academy ranks when Malaga visits the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Izan Merino, who opted against a transfer to the prestigious club, is now a pivotal figure within Juanfran Funes’ lineup.
According to Diario AS, Madrid attempted to recruit Merino in the summer of 2023 when he was just 17 and had not made his senior debut with Malaga.
Madrid’s Bid Rejected Three Years Ago
Izan Merino has emerged as a key player at Malaga. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
At that time, Malaga had just been relegated to the Primera RFEF and was focused on rebuilding their team around their youth academy.
Real Madrid proposed €250,000 for Merino, but Malaga declined and maintained his €3 million release clause.
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The player himself valued continuity over an immediate transfer to Valdebebas, a choice that has proven pivotal.
Merino made his first-team debut in the Copa del Rey in December 2023 and played a vital role in the team’s subsequent promotion back to Segunda.
He later extended his contract, initially until 2027 and then until 2028. Now, three years post-Madrid’s approach, he arrives at the Bernabeu as a vastly improved player.
Merino Integral to Malaga’s Plans
Merino will take on Mourinho’s team this afternoon. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
At just 20 years old, Merino has already logged 73 senior appearances for Malaga and has established himself as a core component in Funes’ squad.
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His versatility has contributed to his growth, as he has played primarily in midfield but also contributed significantly as a center-back for Spain during the recent Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
This ability to adapt to two challenging positions explains why he is well-regarded at the national team level and is being considered within the Spain Under-21 setup.
For Madrid, Merino’s journey serves as a reminder that not every promising young player must join La Fabrica right away to reach their full potential.
Had he accepted the offer in 2023, Merino’s career path might have looked quite different. Instead, he opted to remain with Malaga, gained valuable first-team experience, and assisted the club’s promotion from the third tier back to La Liga.
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This approach is similar to what Racing Santander’s Sergio Martinez faced; however, Martinez has opted to move to Madrid this summer.
This match presents Merino with his first opportunity to play at the Bernabeu against the very club that once sought to sign him.
The performance of Merino will be closely monitored, and a future transfer to Madrid may still be a possibility.
Real Madrid are set to face Malaga in their third La Liga game of the season and will be hoping to make it three wins from three.
Los Blancos will come face to face with a player they once tried to sign for their academy when Malaga come to the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Izan Merino, who turned down a move to the biggest club in the world, will now arrive as one of the most important players in Juanfran Funes’ side.
According to Diario AS, Madrid attempted to sign Merino in the summer of 2023, when he was just 17 and had yet to make his senior debut for Malaga.
Madrid move rejected three years ago
Izan Merino has become a key player at Malaga. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
At the time, Malaga had just been relegated to Primera RFEF and were trying to rebuild around their academy.
Madrid offered €250,000 for Merino, but Malaga rejected the proposal and referred interested clubs to his €3 million release clause.
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The player himself also chose continuity over an immediate move to Valdebebas. That decision has proven to be significant.
Merino made his first-team debut in the Copa del Rey in December 2023 and was part of the side that later won promotion back to Segunda.
He subsequently renewed his contract, first until 2027 and then until 2028. Three years on from Madrid’s approach, he arrives at the Bernabeu as a completely different player.
Merino now central to Malaga project
Merino is set to take on Mourinho’s men this afternoon. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
At just 20, Merino has already made 73 senior appearances for Malaga and established himself as one of the structural pieces in Funes’ team.
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His versatility has also strengthened his development. Although naturally comfortable in midfield, he featured extensively as a centre-back for Spain at the recent Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
That ability to operate in two demanding central positions helps explain why he remains highly regarded at national-team level and is already being considered around the Spain Under-21 set-up.
For Madrid, his story is an interesting reminder that not every talented teenager needs to enter La Fabrica immediately to fulfil his potential.
Merino could have accepted the move in 2023 and taken a very different development path. Instead, he stayed at home, accumulated senior minutes and helped Malaga climb from the third tier back to La Liga.
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This is a path that Racing Santander youngster Sergio Martinez could have taken, but the young Spaniard has chosen the option of moving to Madrid this summer.
Now he gets his first opportunity to play at the Bernabeu against the club that once wanted him.
All eyes will be on how Merino fares and, who knows, a move to Madrid could be on the cards in the future.
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