Rafa Marin is reportedly keen on remaining at Real Madrid amid interest from several European bigwigs, including Chelsea.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Rafa Marin does not wish to leave Real Madrid anytime soon. The Spanish defender is prioritising signing a new contract with Los Blancos instead of listening to offers from suitors. Chelsea and RB Leipzig are among the clubs keen on signing the youngster.
Rafa Marin passed through the academies of a few Spanish clubs before landing at Real Madrid half a dozen years ago. And the 20-year-old rapidly rose through the ranks before turning professional in 2021. Since then, he has been a mainstay at the back for Real Madrid Castilla without making a splash for the first team.
The Spanish defender is still waiting to make his first-team debut for Real Madrid. However, in the meantime, Marin continues to make his mark for Real Madrid Castilla, turning out 21 times this term. And with the youngster having a high ceiling, several high-profile clubs, including Chelsea, have set their sights on him.
Chelsea lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as free agents last summer. They then replaced the duo with Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana. But neither defender has managed to make his mark for Chelsea in the last six months. And recent reports have suggested that Koulibaly might leave the west London club in the summer.
Fofana might still shine for Chelsea, and Benoit Badiashile arrived at Stamford Bridge last month. But Thiago Silva is in the twilight of his career. And despite signing a new contract, the veteran Brazilian defender is only a short-term solution for Chelsea. So it is hardly surprising that the Blues have their eyes on Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin.
The 20-year-old can potentially be a long-term central defensive solution alongside Badiashile and Fofana. In addition, the Real Madrid defender is a target for RB Leipzig. But the Spaniard is not interested in leaving Real Madrid, even though he is yet to make his first-team debut. And according to the report, he is keen on signing a new contract with Los Blancos.
The reigning La Liga champions are yet to submit a new contract to Marin. But he will prioritise listening to an offer from Real Madrid over suitors like Chelsea and Leipzig. So it will be interesting to see if the Merengues table a renewal to the youngster anytime soon, with his current deal expiring in less than 18 months.
