Real Madrid has decided to make a surprise signing according to SPORT, citing anonymous sources, which would see a "prodigal" son return to the Bernabeu if the transfer is really completed.
Rafa Marin was sold to Napoli in the summer, for a €12 million fee which could reach up to €22 million depending on a series of variables.
As is common practice when offloading the products of its La Fabrica academy however, Madrid demonstrated wise business acumen by inserting buyback clauses into the terms and the conditions of its deal with the Italian club.
This is known as the "Via Carvajal" or "Carvaja route" in Spain, in honor of the club legend right back Dani Carvajal currently out injured for what is expected to be the rest of the ongoing 2024/2025 after he ruptured his ACL among other things during a 2-0 La Liga win over Villarreal at the Bernabeu in early October.
The Euro 2024 winner with Spain and Ballon d'Or candidate was shipped out to Bayer Leverkusen on a five-season deal in 2012, yet brought back to his country's capital after just a single season following an impressive term in the Bundesliga.
This is something that could happen sooner with Marin, and perhaps as early as the January transfer window which opens at the 2025.
Carlo Ancelotti's injury ravaged squad is particularly short on players in defense, with David Alaba yet to return from his own ACL knock and Eder Militao once again falling to the critical injury for the second time in two seasons.
While Raul Asencio has achieved Marin's dream by being promoted to the first team fold from the Castilla amid Militao's setback, Toni Rudiger remains the only senior center back Ancelotti can call upon and he is often partnered with defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Snapping up Marin is a case of the sooner the better, because of the interesting way that the transfer was hashed out and set in stone.
Madrid made sure to include a $27.1 million (€25 million) buy back clause which can be exercised in 2026.
The clause then rises to $37.9 million (€35 million) in 2027.
But if Napoli pays an additional $10.8 million (€10 million) next year, those clauses double to $54.2 million (€50 million) in 2026 and $75.8 million (€70 million) in 2027.
As Marin's move to Napoli hasn't gone as planned, though, the thinking is that he can be picked up on the cheap and perhaps for something around the price the Serie A giant originally paid for the 21-year-old considering he is still yet to make his debut for it.