Mallorca eye Dortmund's Mateu Morey as Pablo Maffeo replacement

By SABC Sport
6th June 2024

Real Mallorca have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund's Mateu Morey as a potential replacement for the departing Pablo Maffeo.

The club's director of football, Pablo Ortells, considered Morey an ideal candidate, especially given the player's desire to return to his homeland.

Mateu Morey, a 24-year-old right-back from Petra, Mallorca, concluded his five-year tenure with Dortmund following the Champions League final. With Dortmund announcing Morey's exclusion from the upcoming Bundesliga season, he will become a free agent as of June 30.

Mallorca have reportedly planned to use the funds from Maffeo's anticipated summer transfer to strengthen their squad. Maffeo and the club were eager for a fresh start following several incidents that strained their relationship, notably the club's perceived lack of support during Maffeo's bout with social media harassment, according to a report by MARCA.

With Maffeo's exit looming, Mallorca need a robust competitor for Gio Gonzalez at right-back. Alternatives included Nacho Vidal, priced affordably at €350,000, though he has remained undecided about his future.

The potential acquisition of Morey, who left Mallorca's academy for Barcelona's La Masia nine years ago, emerged as an intriguing option. Despite his injury history, Morey's availability without a transfer fee presented a unique opportunity.

Reflecting on his turbulent career, Morey shared with MARCA, "The world of football moves very quickly. At 19, I was a starter for Borussia Dortmund, playing in the Champions League quarter-finals. Suddenly, injuries kept me out for three years."

Morey's career, once on the rise, was derailed by severe injuries, including ligament and meniscus surgeries. He endured over 1,000 days without official matches, dedicating extensive time to solitary rehabilitation. Despite these setbacks, Morey remained optimistic, viewing this moment as a chance to rejuvenate his career. "Where others saw darkness, I remained hopeful," Morey added.

Now, officially having parted from Dortmund, Morey is said to be actively seeking a new team to reignite his career. While the German market remained a strong possibility, the prospect of returning to Mallorca, where his football journey began, could be an option.