Madrid's Surprising Re- recruitment of Previous Star Player, According to SPORT
Madrid's Surprising Re- recruitment of Previous Star Player, According to SPORT
Real Madrid is reportedly planning a shock return for a former player, as per SPORT's sources, who remained anonymous. This potential signing could see a former "homie" return to the Bernabeu if the deal is finalized.
Rafa Marin was transferred to Napoli in the summer for a €12 million fee, with the potential to increase to €22 million based on certain conditions.
When it comes to selling off prospects from its La Fabrica academy, Madrid consistently demonstrates smart financial management by incorporating buyback clauses into the transfer agreements.
This strategy is commonly known as the "Via Carvajal" or "Carvajal route" in Spain, a term that pays homage to Madrid's legendary right back Dani Carvajal, who is currently injured and expected to miss the remainder of the 2024/2025 season, following an ACL injury and other setbacks during a 2-0 La Liga win against Villarreal at the Bernabeu in early October.
Carvajal was shipped out to Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract in 2012, only to return to Madrid's capital after a single season, following an outstanding performance in the Bundesliga.
There's a possibility that Marin could follow a similar path, possibly as early as the January 2025 transfer window.
Carlo Ancelotti's injury-plagued squad is in dire need of reinforcements in defense, with David Alaba still recovering from his ACL injury and Eder Militao once again sidelined due to an injury for the second season in a row.
Raul Asencio has managed to realize Marin's dream of joining the first team from the Castilla, following Militao's setback, but Toni Rudiger remains the only senior center back that Ancelotti can rely on, often partnering him with defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni lately.
Bringing Marin back could be beneficial, given the unique circumstances surrounding his transfer.
Madrid made sure to include a €25 million buyback clause that can be exercised in 2026, which then increases to €35 million in 2027. However, if Napoli pays an additional €10 million next year, the buyback clauses double to €50 million in 2026 and €70 million in 2027.
Since Marin's move to Napoli hasn't gone as planned, some think that he could be acquired at a reduced cost, potentially even matching the original price Napoli paid for the 21-year-old, considering he hasn't made his debut for them yet.
Carlo Ancelotti might be interested in bringing Dani Carvajal's La Fabrica academy product, Rafa Marin, back to Real Madrid, as they look for reinforcements in defense due to injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militao. This potential transfer could be reminiscent of Carvajal's own return to Madrid after a successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen.
Toni Rudiger remains the only reliable senior center back for Ancelotti, often pairing with defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. If Marin returns, he could provide additional depth in the defense, potentially following the "Via Carvajal" or "Carvajal route" that Madrid often uses for its academy graduates.
Real Madrid's initial €12 million investment in Marin, with a potential increase to €22 million, could be revised if he returns via the buyback clause, which increases to €50 million in 2026 and €70 million in 2027 if Napoli pays an additional €10 million next year. Carlo Ancelotti and the Real Madrid management are keeping a close eye on this situation, as they seek to strengthen their squad while staying financially prudent.