Real Madrid defender closing in on €12 million Serie A move

Journalist Jose Felix Diaz of MARCA has revealed that Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin is nearing a move to Napoli for €12 million.

Initially set to replace the departing Nacho at Real Madrid, Marin’s future took a turn when the club’s interest in signing Leny Yoro from Lille grew stronger. The Merengues subsequently decided to entertain offers for the 22-year-old defender.

For Napoli, the pursuit of Marin has been long-standing, with their new sporting director, Giovanni Manna, closely monitoring Marin during his loan spell at Alaves. Manna has been personally involved in negotiations and is on the verge of finalizing the deal.

Napoli have held multiple meetings with Real Madrid

Previous reports indicated multiple rounds of talks between Napoli and Real Madrid regarding Marin’s transfer.

As a result, Napoli are eager to wrap up the deal swiftly, viewing Marin as a valuable addition to their squad. They now await the green light from Real Madrid to proceed.

While there have been varying reports on the transfer fee, it is now settled at €12 million. Moreover, Real Madrid are expected to include a buyback clause in the agreement, valuing it at over €30 million.

This is because despite sanctioning Marin’s sale, Real Madrid hold him in high regard and anticipate his potential growth as a footballer, hence retaining a measure of control over his future.

Time for a new centre-back?

Once Marin’s move is finalized, Real Madrid are likely to pursue another defender, with Leny Yoro emerging as the top candidate.

Interestingly, amid talks of Yoro’s potential arrival, there were brief rumours linking Real Madrid to Bologna’s Italian centre-back Riccardo Calafiori.

However, these rumours were quickly dismissed as Madrid remain focused on signing Yoro.

The transfer saga surrounding Marin underscores the dynamic nature of football negotiations, where player values and club strategies can quickly evolve.

Marin’s journey from Real Madrid to Napoli reflects the intricate dance of talent scouting and strategic planning in modern football.