Chelsea and PSG are set to battle it out for Real Madrid Castilla’s star Rafa Marin, who refused to pen a contract extension with the club last year. The centre-back is a ‘diamond’ in the Madrid academy.
It is no secret that Chelsea have switched their transfer outlook to try and acquire players that they can develop over time, rather than purchasing finished articles. The big-money signings of Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana over the summer were seen as a way of improving the current squad but also investments.
The managerial switch from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter also evidences that the Blues’ new ownership wanted long-term acquisitions. And, according to SPORT, there next is exciting young defender Marin.
Real Madrid are desperate for the 20-year-old to pen a new deal with the club, though it is believed that Marin sees no path to first-team football at the Santiago Bernabeu. The centre-back has become discouraged by Los Blancos’ decision to continue bolstering their defensive ranks and how there is no longer a stream of academy graduates breaking into the Madrid team.
Nacho Fernandez was the last player to make the step up from Castilla to the first-team nine years ago, and he has since made 193 appearances for his boyhood club and is considered a ‘veteran’ who requires offloading.
Despite Madrid consistently telling Marin that he could break into Carlo Ancelotti’s side, he has not even featured on the bench in the first team. Only three outfield players from Castilla have been used by the Italian boss in the La Liga – though the trio were all unused substitutes.
Chelsea are preparing for a busy January transfer window, and a bid for Marin must not be ruled out given that PSG are also looking to pinch him on a free transfer in the summer. Other top clubs are also expected to emerge as interested, given that it was talks with those clubs that persuaded Marin to rebuff Los Blancos’ contract extension offer.
Potter is expected to attempt to bolster his midfield ranks next month, with both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho expected to leave the club at the end of the season when their contracts expire. Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham and Brighton playmaker Moises Caicedo are reportedly of interest, though both clubs are attracting significant interest from elsewhere. West Ham captain Declan Rice is also a top target, with the England international rejecting a contract with the club earlier this year which has given the Blues a boost.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
