There is general apprehension regarding the future of Alfred N’Diaye amid fears he may never play for Malaga with his contract running down at this June’s end.
The France-born Senegalese was shipped out on loan first to Hull City then Wolverhampton Wanderer’s and last season at Malaga to help the Anderlusian club seal a return to the La Liga.
That objective is half-way done with the former Primera Division outfit in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs in the Spanish second tier.
The 29-year-old featured in thirty-four of the overall sanctioned forty-two league matches all of those from the lineup, scoring five times in the process.
Malaga had hoped to tie him down to a permanent agreement in the event promotion is guaranteed and somewhat delayed his release when Senegal requested him to join the African Cup of Nations preparations early.
Gaffer Victor Sanchez decided against the defensive midfielder’s inclusion in the 3-0 comprehensive battering of Elche in the lead up to the playoffs.
However, it looks the Spaniards will have to make do without the African midfield powerhouse who is understood to be rather keen on returning to parent club Villareal or seek another temporary exit in the top flight of a different league.
He has two more years left of his initial five-year deal.
Offers are expected to stream in once he kickstarts the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal given he is a favourite for gaffer Aliou Cisse.
Alfred wouldn’t have to travel long hours to join up the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists with Senegal camping in Alicante, southeast of Spain.
N’Diaye is capped twenty times for the Taranga Lions after switching to the West African country having previously starred for France in all youth categories.