Mallorca Give Up on Mati Ordinas as Contract Talks Collapse Over Money
RCD Mallorca have walked away from talks to keep teenage right-back Mati Ordinas, who rejected two contract offers and will leave for free in June.
Mallorca have thrown in the towel on keeping one of their brightest young talents — and it’s all come down to a wage dispute that’s left both sides at a stalemate.
The Situation
Mati Ordinas, a 2010-born right-back who represents Spain at Under-16 level, is set to leave RCD Mallorca when his contract expires this coming June. What makes it particularly frustrating for the club is that this didn’t have to happen — not by a long shot.
According to MARCA, Ordinas actually agreed to extend his deal on two separate occasions, only to back out both times. The sticking point? Money. The teenager’s camp are reportedly asking for more than Mallorca are willing to put on the table, and the club have now decided they’re done negotiating.
Mallorca’s Stance
From the club’s perspective, this has turned into a bit of a standoff — and they want no part of it. Their position is pretty clear:
- They’ve made two offers, both of which were initially accepted then rejected
- They will not be making a third approach
- They view the situation as a power play from the player’s side, which they’re not prepared to entertain
- As far as Mallorca are concerned, the matter is closed
It’s a bold call, letting a Spain youth international walk out the door for nothing, but you can see where they’re coming from. If a kid keeps saying yes and then doing a U-turn, at some point you’ve got to hold your nerve.
Who Is Mati Ordinas?
For those not clued up on Mallorca’s youth setup, Ordinas is very much one to watch. This season he’s made 15 appearances for Mallorca’s Cadete A side, chipping in with two goals from right-back — decent numbers for a defender at that level.
He’s already pulling on the Spain shirt at youth level, which tells you the lad has genuine quality. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s attracting interest — and here’s the bit that’ll sting Mallorca fans — there are reportedly other La Liga clubs already sniffing around him.
What Happens Next?
Unless something dramatic changes before June, Ordinas will become a free agent and almost certainly end up at a rival Spanish club. Mallorca will get absolutely nothing for a player they’ve developed from a young age. It’s the kind of situation that makes academy directors want to pull their barnet out.
Whether Ordinas and his people have played this well or overplayed their hand remains to be seen. He’s got talent, no question — but burning bridges with your parent club before you’ve even signed your first professional contract is a risky game at any age.
One to keep an eye on when the summer window rolls around.