Rafa Marin is close to finalizing a contract to join Napoli

According to Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, 22-year-old Real Madrid center defender Rafa Marin is close to finalizing a contract to join Napoli at the Stadio Maradona this summer, marking the team's first acquisition of the Antonio Conte era. According to Sky, Napoli is expected to finalize a deal for Marin in the next few hours.

The Spain youth international has had a great breakthrough season in the top flight of Spain, although he has not yet made a competitive appearance for Madrid's senior team. He spent the 2023–24 season on loan with Alaves in LaLiga. Marin, a 6'3 right-footed center defender, played in 33 LaLiga games and two more Copa del Rey games in the previous season. In an effort to bolster their defense, Napoli has looked into potential trades for Italy international and Torino center-back Alessandro Buongiorno as well as Mario Hermoso, the soon-to-be free agent at Atletico Madrid.