La Liga: Real Madrid-academy product Rafa Marin, who represented the club at every youth level stage, is set to join SSC Napoli on a permanent transfer after Los Blancos officially confirmed his departure. Rafa Marin's transfer fees is 12 million Euros but Los Blancos have inserted a buy-back clause in the contract, which will be activated after 2 years (June 2026) and is valued at 25 million euros, which will see a 10 million Euros addition in June 2027 (35 million Euros to be precise).
Rafa Marin was amongst the most promising prospects out of their academy and showed his true potential at every youth level stage. However, the Spanish defender never managed to break into the main team. The 22-year old has also never represented Spain on senior level and endured an average 2023/24 season at La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves (on loan from Real Madrid) where he failed to score and assist throughout the season.
In his 35 appearances in the 2023/24 season, 33 came in La Liga, while the other 2 came in Copa Del Rey. Deportivo Alaves finished 10th in La Liga and the club exceeded and surpassed the expectations. SSC Napoli endured a terrible title defence run, as they finished outside of European qualification places and this is potentially the biggest reason why the club cannot convince a big-club player to join them.
The defensive woes were pretty much evident throughout the season and the signing of Rafa Marin makes good sense as a young centre-back, who is a promising aspect, can develop well under new coach Antonio Conte, who is very popularly known to give a set of generational defenders time and time again.
Official Statement From Real Madrid On Rafa Marin's Transfer
"Real Madrid CF and SSC Napoli have reached an agreement for the transfer of our player Rafa Marín. Rafa Marín joined Real Madrid in 2016 at the age of 14. Since then, he has played in all the categories of our youth system until playing two seasons at Castilla. In the last 2023-2024 season he was loaned to Deportivo Alavés. Real Madrid wishes him and his family the best of luck in this new stage of his life."