After a successful season on loan at Alaves last year, Real Madrid decided to cash in on central defender Rafa Marin by selling him to Napoli for ten million euros. However, just two appearances under Antonio Conte have left him looking for an early exit from Naples.
Los Blancos are retaining a 50% sell-on fee for Marin, but it appears he will leave Napoli on loan in January as they still hold out hope he can prove useful down the line. Como has made a choice for Marin, but Marca says Villarreal are now in pole position and can sign him until the end of the season.
Marin has given the green light for the deal and discussions are at an advanced stage. Napoli's priority is for the 22-year-old to gain experience at the highest possible level, with the Yellow Submarine promising him an important role in the team.
Last season, Marin showed how solid he can be in Luis Garcia Plaza's overachieving Alaves, and he was also decent on the ball. He was brought in by Napoli sporting director Giovanna Manna, but clearly still has to convince Conte of his virtues. With the joint second-worst defensive record in La Liga, Marcelino Garcia Toral will no doubt be happy with reinforcements.
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