Rafa Marin is likely to be the first piece of the new-look Napoli defense.
The negotiation with Real Madrid is moving fast, but the teams need to iron out the formula. The Partenopei are ready to pay €8/9M for the center-back. He’d eventually ink a five-year contract, Tuttomercatoweb informed.
The Azzurri gained the pole position in the race to sign the Spaniard about a month ago and are looking to capitalize on it. His arrival wouldn’t jeopardize their pursuits of Alessandro Buongiorno and Mario Hermoso. They’ll need at least another piece in the back. At this stage, Torino want €45M, though.
According to Sky, Rafa Marin is probably headed to Napoli. However, Real Madrid don’t want to completely lose control over him. The deal could envisage a future buy-back clause, like those orchestrated by Milan and Juventus for Brahim Diaz and Alvaro Morata in previous years.
As for the other ongoing matters at the club, the brass and Antonio Conte wish to keep both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giovanni Di Lorenzo despite the recent remarks and requests to leave from their camps.
They are not mutually exclusive and they need depth, but their swift move might be a hint that they aren’t super confident about retaining Di Lorenzo. Instead, the rumors solidify the belief that they’ll indeed switch to a three-man rearguard. Considering how pitiful they were last season, Amir Rrahmani might be the only one to keep his starting job, but that’s not so certain either.