Real Madrid have reportedly rebuffed an offer from FC Basel for 19-year-old centre-back Rafa Marin, who will not be leaving the club anytime soon.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Rafa Marin recently emerged as the subject of interest from FC Basel over a possible move in the ongoing transfer window. But Real Madrid will not be selling the 19-year-old centre-back anytime soon, with the Swiss giants having their offer knocked back.
Rafa Marin joined Real Madrid from Sevilla in July 2016 and has since made significant progress in the Spanish club’s youth setup. Currently assigned to Real Madrid Castilla, the teenage prodigy has impressed manager Raul to no end, with the Spaniard envisioning a bright future for him.
In the ongoing campaign, the 19-year-old centre-back has featured in 15 league games for Real Madrid Castilla while also being called up to the first-team squad for two matches this term. Rafa Marin’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with several clubs across Europe, including FC Basel, setting their sights on him.
FC Basel will need to enter the transfer market for a centre-back before the ongoing window shuts down in less than a week. That is because the Swiss giants sold Eray Comert to Valencia this week, leaving a gaping hole in their central defensive unit.
To that end, Marin had recently emerged as a viable target for FC Basel, who had even initiated contact with the 19-year-old’s representatives. Furthermore, the RotBlau even tabled an offer for Real Madrid’s consideration, only for Los Blancos to reject the approach almost immediately.
The Spanish giants have no intention of parting with Rafa Marin anytime soon, with Carlo Ancelotti, like Raul, rating him highly. And at a time when several centre-backs, including Presnel Kimpembe, have been linked with Real Madrid, the Spanish defender could be an internal solution for them.
As for FC Basel, the Swiss giants will need to set their sights elsewhere in search of a centre-back this month, with Marin not leaving Real Madrid. But it will be interesting to see if the 19-year-old is promoted to the first-team squad anytime soon, especially with Jesus Vallejo being heavily linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
