Malaga moves to outpace Bastia in pursuit of Malian prospect Arouna Traoré

CF Malaga intensified its efforts to secure the signature of young Malian striker Arouna Traoré, who turned 18 recently and continues to attract growing interest across Europe.

The Spanish second-division club contacted Traoré’s representatives and opened negotiations for a deal that brings the forward to Malaga this winter.

Club officials want to accelerate discussions and gain an advantage over Sporting Club de Bastia, which also targets the highly rated teenager.

Traoré trained with FC Barcelona earlier this year through a programme linked to his academy, Africa Foot in Bamako.

His performances impressed observers and strengthened his reputation as one of Mali’s most promising young attackers. That interest continues to rise as multiple clubs track his next move.

Bastia entered the race early and proposed a six-month loan for Traoré this summer.

The Corsican club offered a structured plan: integrate him into their youth setup, assess his development, and potentially hand him a long-term contract.

His representatives continue to study that option while weighing Malaga’s ambitions.

Malaga, however, wants to move quickly. The club believes Traoré fits its long-term project and offers a profile that strengthens its attacking depth.

Talks remain active, and both sides aim to find common ground before the winter window opens.

Traoré now stands at a decisive moment in his young career.

His camp evaluates each proposal carefully, and both clubs maintain strong interest as the competition for his signature becomes more intense.

One certainty remains: Traoré prepares to elevate his career to a higher level in the coming months.