```html

Málaga has reached an agreement to extend Pablo Arriaza’s contract until June 2028, according to reports from Radio MARCA Málaga. The midfielder, who captained Atlético Malagueño during their return to Segunda División, will leave La Rosaleda on a one-season loan. The deal, already well advanced, still requires finalizing a few details before being officially confirmed. La Rosaleda pays tribute to Luismi Sánchez upon his return to Primera.

This decision aligns with the club’s strategy to retain a player whom manager Juanfran Funes sees as having strong potential for growth. The coach has repeatedly emphasized Arriaza’s importance for the club’s future, describing him as a “key asset” for Málaga. He has compared his career trajectory to that of Dani Lorenzo and Larrubia, two other academy graduates who had to seek playing time elsewhere. “We must choose the best path for him. He is a club asset, and we need to take care of him,” Funes stated this summer. (Source: Marca)

A loan to gain experience ahead of Primera

Arriaza has been actively involved in pre-season preparations, featuring regularly in friendly matches and even wearing the number 2 shirt. Despite this, the club believes he still needs more development before he can establish himself in LaLiga. The loan move to Primera RFEF—where he aims to continue his growth—will allow him to accumulate minutes in a demanding league. With the transfer window now in its final stages and squads nearly finalized, finding a suitable loan club has become more challenging. His integration into the first team was marked by an official debut: he made his first appearance under Juanfran Funes in the Copa del Rey against Talavera. The young player played the full 90 minutes, though Málaga were eliminated following a 2-1 defeat. This experience with the senior side follows his consistent performances with Atlético Malagueño, where he wore the captain’s armband during the club’s return to Segunda División.

Funes backs the youngster’s future

The club's project with Arriaza is part of a strategy to manage its academy. The coach has repeatedly stated that the midfielder is "a club asset" and that the best conditions must be provided for his development. The priority remains to find him a club in the Primera RFEF, even as options dwindle with the transfer window nearing its close. Funes criticizes refereeing after Málaga’s draw. For now, no club has gained the upper hand in negotiations to secure his services. The player himself has expressed his desire to continue his development in this division, where he could gain maturity before considering a return to La Rosaleda. Málaga, which is banking on its youth to build a competitive team, is thus opting for a temporary solution to balance the club’s ambitions with the player’s growth.