Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin is set to leave the club to join Real Betis on an initial loan with an option to buy, but Los Blancos will insert a buyback clause into the deal.
The 21-year-old was outstanding for the Castilla side, but with first-team opportunities limited at the Santiago Bernabeu, the decision has been made from all parties to move on.
Marin is highly rated at Real Madrid, and he plans to return to his native Seville to join Real Betis.
The deal, according to AS, will see him join on an initial loan with an option to buy, but like other deals Real Madrid have completed involving their young stars, he will have a buyback clause inserted in his deal to give the club some control over his long-term future.
How good is Rafa Marin?
The strength in depth in Real Madrid’s first-team squad right now means that even their most talented youngsters stand little chance of breaking into the side, and the centre-back will have to compete with Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho for a spot.
Marin has made 68 appearances for Castilla over the years, and is rated highly for his ability in the air and on the ball. Standing at 1.91m tall, he is a physically gifted young defender, and the interest from Betis in the Spaniard highlights his quality.
One of Spain’s biggest clubs, competing in Europe, is eager to take the defender despite the future possibility of a return to Madrid for a low fee, shows that they rate his quality highly, and believe that he can have an immediate impact in their squad.
If Marin does well at Betis, he could eventually return to Madrid as a long-term successor to Alaba or Rudiger, and Real could repeat the success they found with a sale and buyback clause that they achieved with Fran Garcia.