La Liga top four hopefuls Real Betis and Villarreal are reportedly interested in 21-year-old Real Madrid prospect Rafa Marin.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Real Betis and Villarreal have set their sights on Rafa Marin. And the Verdiblancos are the front-runners to land the 21-year-old prospect, with the Yellow Submarine following closely behind. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will likely sell the youngster to a fellow La Liga club.
Rafa Marin has endured a frustrating period where he has constantly played for Real Madrid Castilla without getting the opportunity to make his mark for the first team. The Spaniard has been one of the best performers for the Castilla side in the last few years. But he has yet to make his first-team debut.
The 21-year-old has turned out 68 times thus far for Real Madrid Castilla, chipping in with three goals and one assist. But Marin’s Real Madrid future is uncertain, as he has entered the final year of his contract. Meanwhile, Raul Gonzalez has offered him and two other players extra time off to sort their futures out.
Marin and Real Madrid reckon he is ready for professional football. But with the youngster unlikely to receive first-team opportunities, a summer departure is on the cards. And La Liga clubs Real Betis and Villarreal will look to secure his services in the summer transfer window.
Real Betis will likely enter the market for a centre-back in the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Luiz Felipe. The Italian international is the subject of interest from West Ham United. And recent reports have claimed the Hammers have advanced negotiations to secure his services. So Marin might be the ideal candidate to replace Felipe at the Benito Villamarin.
On the other hand, Pau Torres’s move to Aston Villa has created a void in the Villarreal defensive unit. And Marin has emerged as a viable option to bolster the Yellow Submarine’s defence this summer. Meanwhile, the report claims the 21-year-old Real Madrid prospect will likely join a Spanish club.
In addition, Real Betis will be ahead of Villarreal in the race to secure Marin’s services this summer. And it will be interesting to see where the Spanish defender plies his trade after reaching the end of the line at Real Madrid.
