Real Madrid midfield prospect Ivan Morante is on the radars of Alaves and Rayo Vallecano, while fellow starlet Rafa Marin is a loan target for RCD Mallorca.
According to Spanish publication MARCA, Real Madrid youngster Ivan Morante is attracting serious interest heading into the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old is being pursued by Los Blancos’ La Liga rivals Rayo Vallecano along with Deportivo Alaves, who were relegated to La Liga 2 this past season.
Morante joined Real Madrid in January 2020 after spending his youth career at Ejido (2006-2013) and Villarreal. The midfielder linked up with the Merengues’ Juvenil A side upon arrival and won the UEFA Youth League with the team, before being moved up to the Castilla setup for the 2020/21 campaign.
Morante continued to be a prominent member of the Castilla setup during the 2021/22 season, featuring in 23 matches in which he scored and assisted a goal apiece. However, the 21-year-old’s contract with Real Madrid stands to run out next year, leading to speculations over his immediate future.
Considering that the pathway to the Real Madrid senior setup is blocked due to the plethora of options in midfield following the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, the youngster could seek to move on in search of first-team football elsewhere. And he is now courting interest from two clubs in the form of Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alaves.
The report states that both the Spanish first and second division clubs have already spoken to Morante’s agent to assess the possibility of a transfer. And considering his contract expires in a little over a year, Real Madrid might be more than willing to part ways with the 21-year-old prospect rather than lose him for nothing in 2023.
In the past, Real Madrid have allowed their youth players to leave the club but have inserted a buyback clause while doing so. Whether they follow a similar route with Morante remains to be seen.
Rafa Marin wanted on loan by RCD Mallorca
Ivan Morante might not be the only Real Madrid Castilla player who could move this summer, as another report from MARCA claims that defensive prospect Rafa Marin has emerged as a loan target for La Liga side RCD Mallorca this summer.
Marin has been with Real Madrid for six years now, having joined La Fabrica from the Sevilla youth setup. The 20-year-old has risen steadily through the ranks and become a key part of the Castilla outfit in the last season. He has played 29 times for Raul Gonzalez’s side so far and has even made the first-team bench on matchdays on a few occasions, but is yet to make his senior bow.
Nevertheless, Marin is held in high regard in Real Madrid. Like Morante, his contract also expires in 2023. But Los Blancos are keen to prolong his stay as they see him as a future first-team star.
?? Mallorca are interested in Castilla defender Rafa Marin, but it's not an easy operation for them as he first has to sit down with Real Madrid to talk about his short-term future. @marca pic.twitter.com/VYeDJ1ydKP
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) June 22, 2022
But with Antonio Rudiger arriving from Chelsea to join the defensive contingent that already consists of Eder Militao, David Alaba, Nacho Fernandez and Jesus Vallejo, Marin would have to bide his time to make a first-team breakthrough. So, it is time for Real Madrid to decide where they wish to keep him with the Castilla outfit or renew his contract and loan him out.
Mallorca, who are keen on bolstering their backline this summer, have identified Rafa Marin as a key target. Another report from Defensa Central, which also mentions Mallorca’s intentions to sign the 20-year-old on loan, claims that German outfit RB Leipzig are also interested in the Real Madrid prospect. However, it is added that the Bundesliga giants only wish to sign him on a free transfer next year.
It will be interesting to see what Real Madrid plan to do with Marin, although a loan move to a La Liga club where he can play regular first-team football would be the right way to go about things.