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Malaga are the latest La Liga club linked as ready to end Borja Baston's Swansea City struggles – but the Liberty's record signing could be priced out of a move back to Spain.

The Swans shelled out an unprecedented £15.5m for the 24-year-old last summer, but he has rarely looked like being able to deliver on the price-tag that usurped the £12m paid for Wilfried Bony three years earlier.

(Image: Athena Pictures)

With just one goal, questions over his fitness and being axed from the squad by all three of Swansea's managers last season – including survival mastermind Paul Clement – there has already been thoughts of moving on the Atletico Madrid pruchase.

Borja was reported to have changed agents to engineer a move back to Spain , where the Atleti youth product gained his reputation with an impressive scoring record while on loan with minnows Eibar.

Valencia had been interested in a deal in January, only for the plug to be pulled late on deadline day, while Levante are said to have made their interest known.

(Image: Getty Images)

There are claims that Borja, indeed, has several suitors in Spain, with Malaga now the most prominent as they brace themselves for the departure of frontman Sandro Ramirez to Everton, themselves looking for frontline reinforcements ahead of Romelu Lukaku's expected exit.

Yet Swansea are both cautious of leaving themselves light in attacking cover, and are keen to recoup a good chunk of their record outlay if they are to let Borja leave after one goal and 14 league appearances, only four of which were starts and none coming under Clement.

That could scupper Spanish hopes of seeing Borja return, with Malaga only likely to receive £5m for Sandro due to a release clause in his contract.

(Image: Miguel Ruiz/FC Barcelona via Getty Images)

Borja is not thought to be on hefty wages at the Liberty, meaning Swansea are not in a huge rush to offload him despite him being unlikely to force his way into becoming the No.1 striker.

A loan deal could be an option, but that is not something Swansea are likely to pursue until later in the window and could be dependent on what other forward options they bring in.