In an unexpected twist, it has been revealed by SPORT that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is looking to secure the return of Rafa Marin from Napoli in January.
This move has come as a surprise, especially considering the current state of the Santiago Bernabeu offices.
Real Madrid are reportedly considering bringing back Marin, a centre-back who once played for their academy and is currently with Serie A club Napoli.
With injuries plaguing their defensive line, Ancelotti’s side is in desperate need of reinforcements, and Marin, given his situation in Italy, seems like a viable option.
Still in sight
It must be noted that Marin had impressed during a loan spell at Alavés before making his permanent move to Napoli last summer in a deal worth €12 million, with the potential to rise to €22 million depending on certain performance-related clauses.
However, his time in Serie A has been less than successful so far, with Napoli coach Antonio Conte not offering him many chances to feature in the first team.
This lack of playing time has made Marin an attractive option for Real Madrid, who are already familiar with his talents from his time in their academy.
An impressive option to have
Given that Marin already has experience in Spain and with Real Madrid, the club is reportedly looking at a discreet, low-cost loan deal until the end of the season.
This would align with the club’s usual strategy during the January transfer window, where they typically avoid making big-money signings.
Despite this seemingly cost-effective option, Real Madrid will not have an easy ride in securing Marin’s services.
The player’s journey away from the Spanish capital has not gone smoothly, and he is said to be eager to return to his former club, a place he considers home.
As a result, competition for his signature is likely to be fierce, with other clubs potentially eyeing a move for the defender.
Milos Kerkez is attracting interest from a number of clubsThe 21-year-old is expected to make a decision on his future at the end of the season but wants to remain an important first-team player even if he moves on to a bigger club.The Hungary international has been one of Bournemouth's stand-out players this season and Liverpool have been keen on him for some time.Liverpool's sporting director Ri...

Arsenal confident about signing ZubimendiPer The Athletic's David Ornstein, Arsenal are confident that they can beat Real Madrid in the transfer race to sign Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer. The journalist said: 'They’ll be adding to the midfield with the arrival of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Arsenal are acting internally as if that is a done de...

Liverpool manager Arne Slot chanted the name of his predecessor Jurgen Klopp after guiding the Reds to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title on Sunday.Slot’s side secured the Premier League crown with four games to spare as they came from behind to thrash Tottenham 5-1 on a sunny afternoon at Anfield.The Dutchman had a tough act to follow after replacing the hugely popular and successful ...

Pep Guardiola admitted winning the FA Cup will not be enough to call Manchester City’s season a success on the day his side reached the final but were dethroned as Premier League champions.Rico Lewis scored after just 109 seconds against Nottingham Forest at Wembley before Josko Gvardiol extended City’s advantage in the second half.City then rode their luck when Forest struck the woodw...

Rico Lewis scored after just 109 seconds to send Manchester City on their way to a third consecutive FA Cup final following a 2-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest at Wembley.Josko Gvardiol extended City’s advantage after 51 minutes before they rode their luck when Morgan Gibbs-White hit the crossbar, and then the post, as Forest attempted a comeback.Taiwo Awoniyi struck the City woodwork for a th...

Chris Davies believes Birmingham’s new League One points record will not be broken after their 4-0 victory over Mansfield took their tally to 105.Goals from Keshi Anderson, Willum Willumsson, Kieran Dowell and Tomoki Iwata, gave Birmingham their 32nd victory of the league campaign and saw them move past Wolves’ record of 103 set in 2013-14.The hosts were presented with the trophy after...

Liverpool clinched the Premier League title in style as they came from behind to thrash Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield.First-half strikes from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo all but wrapped up a record-equalling 20th top-flight title before Mohammed Salah’s 28th goal of a prolific campaign and a Destiny Udogie own goal made the scoreline emphatic.Spurs briefly threatened to spoil a ...

Ruben Amorim reassured Manchester United fans “everything can change” in the balance of Premier League power after rivals Liverpool emulated his club’s record 20 top-flight titles.While Arne Slot’s runaway leaders were on the cusp of being crowned champions with victory over Tottenham at Anfield, 14th-placed United required an added-time equaliser from Rasmus Hojlund to scr...

Stevenage manager Alex Revell felt his side’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham was “a nice way to finish” – but he wanted more.Sam Nombe had put the Millers ahead in the eighth minute and that seemed to be enough until centre-half Dan Sweeney, thrown on as a makeshift striker after 88 minutes, snuck in to head the ball over goalkeeper Dillon Phillips two minutes into stoppage tim...

Birmingham set a new League One points record with a 4-0 hammering of Mansfield to reach 105 with two games remaining.First-half goals from Keshi Anderson and Willum Willumsson, followed by strikes in the second from Kieran Dowell and Tomoki Iwata, saw Chris Davies’ side pass the previous best of 103 set by Wolves in the 2013/14 season.The League One champions now need two more points to bre...



- 1 Phoenix Patterson and Zech Medley on target as Fleetwood defeat Newport
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Omar Sowunmi earns Bromley dramatic draw at Barrow
- 4 Malik Mothersille’s missed penalty proves costly for Peterborough
- 5 Jimmy Thelin praises Kevin Nisbet’s moment of magic as Aberdeen beat Hibernian
- 6 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 7 Andy Carroll and girlfriend put on loved-up display on holiday
- 8 Ancelotti in Brazil job talks
- 9 Steve Bruce bemoans ‘worst penalty decision’ as Blackpool held by Wigan
- 10 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes