Jorge Mere nearing Malaga switch

Spanish Under-21 star Jorge Mere continues to draw plenty of attention in La Liga this summer.

Sporting Gijon centre-back has put in a string of commanding performances at the recently finished European Championship in Poland, alarming the host of clubs including Catalan giants Barcelona, who were also linked with a potential move for the youngster.

However, Spanish media outlet Marca reports that Malaga have emerged as frontrunners in the race for the talented defender and that a move to La Rosaleda is imminent. Malaga have been in contact with the player over the past week and it appears that the player himself has given a nod on a loan with an option to buy.

Mere is under contract with Sporting Gijon until 2020 but Malaga are hoping to persuade his club to sell at the end of the next season for a fee around €8 million, although Sporting are likely to demand close to a double that figure.

The 20-year-old defender made 31 La Liga appearances last season.