Napoli’s rebuild under Antonio Conte is gathering pace, with the club close to securing their first signing of the new era – a move that could set the tone for the new sporting management’s approach: targeting young, quality players from top academies.
Gazzetta dello Sport detail how Rafa Marin, who has risen through the ranks at Real Madrid, has caught the attention of clubs across Europe with 33 La Liga appearances last season, 26 of them as a starter.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has been working discreetly to fend off competition from Milan and other European giants, securing Marin’s approval to join Napoli. The ambitious defender is excited about the prospect of developing in the Italian league under the guidance of Conte.
However, the sticking point remains the transfer formula. Real Madrid, convinced that Marin could become one of Spain’s best defenders in the coming years, are unwilling to relinquish complete control over the player. They are open to a permanent sale but only if they retain the option to re-sign Marin in two or three years’ time at a pre-determined fee.
Napoli and Real Madrid have essentially agreed on a permanent transfer for €10-12 million, with Marin set to sign a five-year contract. Negotiations are now focused on the specifics of the buyback clause, or “recompra” as it’s known in Spain.
Real Madrid want the option to re-sign Marin in either the summer of 2026 or 2027, effectively maintaining control over the defender for three years. The fee would be around €30 million in 2026, rising significantly in 2027.
These are mere details that are unlikely to derail the deal. Marin is eagerly awaiting the green light to embark on his new adventure in Serie A, while Conte is already contemplating how to best utilize the Spaniard’s qualities – either as a central defender in a back three or as a wide center-back under his tutelage.
