Calero's injury forces Málaga to reshape their transfer plans

Fernando Calero's injury has turned Málaga's plans upside down just a week before their return to the top flight. The centre-back will miss around two months, precisely when Juanfran Funes' team must debut against Atlético Madrid, according to MARCA.

Director Loren Juarros had banked on keeping last season's core with only targeted signings. With Calero and José Salinas, the defence was supposed to be sorted. Now that strategy falls short: Álex Pastor is still regaining sharpness, Diego Murillo won't be available until October, and other alternatives in the axis — Einar Galilea, Ángel Recio and Moussa Diarra — lack top-flight experience.

The club had already scouted the market weeks ago as a safety net. Now that caution becomes a must: they're hunting for a left-footed centre-back ready to compete from day one. An operation that was on the back burner has become urgent before the transfer window closes.