Elche are in talks with Manchester United over a deal for Tyrell Malacia.
The deal will most likely be a loan but the Spanish side say they are still evaluating the structure of a potential agreement.
Malacia returned to United this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, who covered the full-back’s wages and had an option to buy, which was not taken up.
The 26-year-old has since been part of Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ — including Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony — who have trained away from the rest of the first-team squad as the club prioritise their exits.
Malacia’s time at United was disrupted by a serious injury and was sidelined for 550 days after tearing the meniscus in his left knee.
Head coach Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system utilises wing-backs, with Patrick Dorgu and Diego Leon subsequently signed to play on the left, where the right-footed Diogo Dalot had been preferred to Malacia in the position.
Malacia was the first signing made by former United manager Erik ten Hag at United for an initial €15million (potential €17m in add-ons) in 2022. He made 39 appearances in his debut season before suffering the knee injury, and did not feature under Ten Hag again, returning to the matchday squad for Amorim’s first game as head coach against Ipswich Town in November last year.
Malacia played 12 times for PSV as they overcame a nine-point deficit to beat Ajax and defend their Eredivisie title, having played for Feyenoord ahead of his move to Old Trafford. He has also earned nine senior caps for the Netherlands since making his debut in September 2021.
Elche, who were promoted to La Liga this season, have already signed left-back Leo Petrot from Saint-Etienne this summer, while German Valera — naturally a right-sided player — has also been deployed in the position.
Malacia exit a United priority
Analysis by Mark Critchley
Securing regular playing time away from United is arguably more important for Malacia than any of Old Trafford’s other outcasts, given his lengthy, 17-month-long spell on the sidelines.
Malacia’s recovery from that serious knee injury was complicated by differences in opinion over his treatment between the player and the club, and he has still not enjoyed regular, consistent minutes since his first year in Manchester. The 26-year-old returned from PSV as an Eredivisie winner this summer, but will hope for more than just 13 appearances if he is to go out on loan once more.
Of all the players United have been looking to move on, Malacia would command the smallest fee in the market if sold permanently, and so only letting him go out on loan would not leave too much money on the table.
But it would likely leave Malacia free to depart for nothing once his contract expires next summer, even though United retain an option to extend for a further year.
(Photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)