Napoli are prepared to sell Rafa Marín this summer as the Serie A champions close in on securing Benoît Badiashile from Chelsea. Two foreign clubs are already monitoring the Spanish defender, according to AreaNapoli via transfer journalist Nicolò Schira, with the 22-year-old reportedly “edging closer” to an exit.
The Partenopei have reached a broad agreement with Chelsea to sign Badiashile on a loan deal that includes an option to buy. The arrival of the French international would give Massimiliano Allegri a centre-back of established pedigree, allowing sporting director Giovanni Manna to sanction Marín’s departure despite a significant injury crisis at the back.
Injury Crisis Creates Conundrum
Napoli’s willingness to offload defensive stock appears surprising given their current fitness problems. Alessandro Buongiorno is sidelined until January with a serious complaint, while summer acquisition Sam Beukema is racing to regain full fitness ahead of the second league match against Como. These absences leave the reigning champions notably short of experienced cover.
Yet the situation has shifted following the rapid emergence of Luca Marianucci. The 20-year-old, signed from Empoli earlier this summer, has climbed Allegri’s pecking order rapidly after impressing during a 2-1 friendly victory over Osasuna, starting alongside Amir Rrahmani for 75 minutes. Marín, conversely, was deliberately omitted from that matchday squad as a precautionary measure, fuelling speculation that his future lies elsewhere.
From Madrid to the Fringes
Marín arrived at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in 2024 but has struggled to establish himself in the first team setup. The former Real Madrid academy graduate spent the latter part of last season on loan at Villarreal, though the temporary switch failed to provide the springboard for a regular starting role under Allegri.
The potential sale forms part of a wider financial strategy. Napoli recently balanced the books by selling Miguel Gutiérrez to Bayer Leverkusen for €30 million, and offloading Marín would provide further flexibility as the club works to finalise the Badiashile negotiations before the window closes.
The situation remains fluid as Allegri weighs the immediate need for defensive numbers against the long-term benefits of securing an established Premier League centre-half.