Mundo Deportivo: Two Malaga Players to Undergo Surgery, Lovete Ruled Out for the Season

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo citing Malaga Hoy, two Malaga players are set to undergo surgery, with Lovete ruled out for the season due to a left knee ligament injury.

Malaga have suffered a double blow on the injury front. Aaron Ochoa previously attempted conservative treatment after suffering a lateral meniscus injury, but he will ultimately require surgery. Lovete, meanwhile, injured his left knee during Thursday's training session, and examinations showed damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Malaga stated that Lovete will undergo surgery in the near future to address the injury and begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. Ochoa will undergo surgery in Madrid on Monday, September 7, with the procedure led by doctor Manuel Leyes, and is expected to be out for around three months.

If they wish, Malaga can still enter the transfer market to search for players, but any target must have already been a free agent before the La Liga summer transfer window closed, meaning before last Tuesday. Malaga have already filled all 25 professional player registration slots, so Lovete would need to free up a registration place before the club can complete a signing.

Because Lovete's recovery period exceeds four months, Malaga can also count 80% of his salary within their wage space and treat the situation as a long-term injury absence.

Lovete and Ochoa can both play similar positions, including on the left side and as attacking midfielders. Their absences leave head coach Funes without two attacking players at the start of the season. The coach and the sporting department must decide whether to strengthen through the free-agent market or wait until at least January to adjust the squad.

There are not many available players in the relevant positions who fit Malaga's wage conditions on the free-agent market. Some world-class wingers are completely beyond the club's financial reach, while other players may fit the salary requirements but still need to be assessed regarding their physical condition and competitive form.

The current candidates without clubs include Ante Rebic, Ivan Sanchez and Adnan Januzaj. Malaga need to decide whether to make an immediate signing or continue waiting.