Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Liverpool Owners Eye Malaga Acquisition Amidst QSI Competition
Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are reportedly considering acquiring Spanish second-division club Malaga, drawn by its burgeoning young talent, modern training facilities, significant fan attendance, and the prospect of a redeveloped stadium slated to host the 2030 World Cup. However, FSG faces competition from Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the owners of Paris Saint-Germain, who also possess a stake in Portuguese team Braga, in the race to purchase the Spanish club.
Malaga: An Attractive Proposition for Player Development
For FSG, mirroring the success of City Football Group (CFG) with Girona, Malaga presents an even more compelling opportunity than the Catalan side that recently competed in the Champions League. Malaga’s setup is ideal as a feeder club for nurturing players under 18 – circumventing post-Brexit signing restrictions – and for ‘parking’ players over 18 who are yet to meet work permit criteria. This strategic advantage positions Malaga as a prime location for talent cultivation.
Academy Strength and Young Stars
After five years of administrative challenges, Malaga has leaned heavily on its esteemed academy. Currently, three academy graduates are pivotal members of manager Sergio Pellicer’s starting eleven. Antonito Cordero, a Spain Under 19 international and dynamic left-winger, was instrumental in securing the club’s promotion back to the Spanish second tier last season. He has continued to impress with five goals in 17 league starts this season.
Liverpool owner John W Henry has his eyes on Malaga – but faces competition from PSG
The likes of Izan Merino have become Spain Under 19 internationals in Malaga’s academy
Real Madrid star and former Man City trainee Brahim Diaz came through the Malaga set-up
Adding to the youthful exuberance, Republic of Ireland Under 19 international Aaron Ochoa Moloney, who will turn 18 in April, is making a mark in midfield alongside another Spain Under 19 international and Malaga regular, Izan Merino.
Talent Exodus and Historical Academy Success
Malaga boasts a rich history of developing players through its youth ranks, but often sees these prospects depart before making significant first-team appearances. Real Madrid’s current star forward, Brahim Diaz, is a prominent example, having shone in Malaga’s youth setup before joining Manchester City. Bryan Zaragoza, recently acquired by Bayern Munich in January 2024, is another academy product who was lost to a bigger club.
Furthermore, Bournemouth’s highly-rated 19-year-old Spanish defender, Dean Huijsen, once part of Malaga’s youth system before Juventus acquired him, is now attracting attention from Real Madrid with a potential £50 million valuation.
Sergio Pellicer: A Coach with a Proven Track Record
Current manager Sergio Pellicer, who led Malaga to promotion last season, is recognized for his expertise in nurturing young talent. He previously guided Malaga to the Spanish youth championship in 2016 and coached them in the UEFA Youth League. His deep understanding of the club’s youth system positions him as an ideal figure for Malaga, particularly given their financially prudent approach post-administration.
Concerns over Player Retention and FSG’s Potential Influence
While Antonito Cordero is currently considered the prized asset at Malaga, his contract expiry at the end of the season raises concerns. There are fears that he, along with Moloney and Merino, could follow in the footsteps of Brahim Diaz and Huijsen by leaving. Acquisition by FSG could grant Liverpool priority access to these players, allowing them to integrate them into their squad or capitalize on their development through future sales.
Malaga owner Sheik Abdullah Al Thani is extremely unpopular with the club’s fans
The club had its glory days in the early 2010s, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to the likes of star midfielder Isco
Nacho Monreal and Santi Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga in the 2012-13 season
Fan Support for Potential Takeover
The prospect of retaining young talent and ending the unpopular ownership of Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani is expected to elicit a positive response from Malaga fans towards a potential FSG takeover. Unlike City Football Group’s failed attempt to acquire NAC Breda in 2022 due to fan opposition, Malaga supporters are anticipated to welcome FSG. The sentiment of ‘Anyone but Al Thani’ reflects the desire for new ownership to revitalize the club.
Malaga’s Infrastructure and Future Prospects
Under Al Thani’s initial tenure, Malaga experienced a period of growth, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013 under Manuel Pellegrini, featuring stars like Santi Cazorla and Isco. However, subsequent withdrawal of investment led to relegation in 2018 and administration in 2020, significantly reducing resources.
Despite these setbacks, Malaga has recently inaugurated a new training complex and is planning the redevelopment of their ‘La Rosaleda’ Stadium, increasing capacity to 45,000 for the 2030 World Cup. The stadium, currently under municipal ownership, will undergo reconstruction between 2026-2028.
Strong Fan Base and Potential for Growth
Malaga’s consistent fan support is notable, with average attendances in the second tier surpassing many top-flight clubs in Spain. Even in the third tier, they maintained regular crowds of 20,000, demonstrating unwavering support. This robust fan base, coupled with improved infrastructure and potential new ownership like FSG or QSI, suggests significant growth potential.
Malaga’s average attendance of just under 25,000 is better than all the other teams in Spain’s second tier and 12 of the clubs in the top flight
Malaga plan to expand their ground to 45,000 seats and host games at the 2030 World Cup
Malaga has the potential to emulate Girona if the right personnel are put in place to design and manage a coherent project
Manchester City star Savinho came through their multi-club network, first at Troyes then on loan at Girona, before moving to England for £30m
Emulating Girona’s Success
Malaga possesses the attributes to mirror Girona’s impressive trajectory, contingent on strategic appointments in key roles. Girona’s recent success can be attributed to manager Michel, experienced sporting director Quique Carcel, and chairman Pere Guardiola, alongside City Group’s financial backing. Should Malaga achieve similar growth, Liverpool would stand to gain significantly. However, long-term success might lead to fan expectations shifting, potentially creating friction if Liverpool’s interests are perceived to be prioritized over Malaga’s.
Recent player movements at Girona, after their Champions League qualification, have caused some fan discontent. However, for Malaga, securing stable ownership remains the immediate priority, presenting a significant step forward after years of instability.