Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dealt blow as Napoli shut doors on defender’s January return
Napoli have firmly ruled out the possibility of allowing Rafa Marin to leave during the upcoming January transfer window, according to reports from AS.
The former Real Madrid defender, who joined Napoli during the summer, is viewed as a critical part of the Italian club’s plans for the future and despite not yet making a significant impact, the Serie A side believes Marin has shown promising progress during training sessions in recent weeks.
They are confident that he is ready to step up and contribute meaningfully to their defensive line.
Napoli are not giving up
The current season is lengthy and demanding, with Napoli aiming to remain at the top of Serie A under Antonio Conte. Although Marin does not have international commitments, his role is expected to grow as the campaign progresses.
Conte sees his potential contribution as essential for maintaining Napoli’s defensive stability and keeping the team competitive on all fronts.
This development comes at a time when Real Madrid are in need of defensive reinforcements. Although Marin has not been strongly linked with a return to the Spanish giants, his name has surfaced in conversations regarding potential options.
Real Madrid have buy-back clauses
It is worth mentioning that his transfer to Napoli included specific buyback clauses, making his future an intriguing point of discussion.
Napoli initially acquired Marin for €12 million, but the agreement contains flexible terms. Napoli can increase the transfer value to €22 million by 2025 if they decide to remove Real Madrid’s buyback clauses.
On the other hand, Madrid have the option to reacquire him for €25 million in 2026 or €35 million in 2027. These clauses provide Real Madrid with an opportunity to bring back Marin if his development aligns with their needs.
For now, Napoli’s priority is to give Marin the time and space to grow within their system. The club remains committed to integrating him into their plans, and they are optimistic about his potential to become a key figure in their defence in the months ahead.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender takes major step towards comeback; set for return after international break
Real Madrid are finally beginning to see a clear path back for Eder Militao, with the defender now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and increasingly expected to return after the next international break.
Militao has been sidelined since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg during the meeting with Alaves last April.
The injury required surgery, but his recovery has now reached a stage where his return can be discussed in more concrete terms.
Militao steps up rehabilitation at Valdebebas
While Real Madrid completed their preparations for Tuesday night’s trip to Elche, Militao was working separately from the main group at the Valdebebas Training Centre.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian defender carried out specific exercises with the club’s rehabilitation staff and physiotherapists on pitches 1 and 2.
The work represents another step in a recovery process that has kept him away from competitive action for several months.
Mind you, Militao will not be involved against Elche, but the latest signs are considerably more encouraging for what comes next.
Return now expected after international break
The timeline surrounding Militao’s comeback is finally becoming clearer. Provided his recovery continues at its current pace, Real Madrid expect the centre-back to be available to Mourinho once the international break is over.
That break is scheduled to take place from the end of September into the first week of October, meaning Militao could be back by mid-October at the latest.
For a defender who has endured another significant spell on the sidelines, simply having a defined target gives an important moment in his rehabilitation.
Real Madrid still missing players
Militao’s progress is particularly welcome because Real Madrid continue to deal with several absences in the squad.
On that note, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy remain on the injury list and are not expected to return as quickly as Militao.
Both these players are therefore ruled out of the Elche fixture, leaving Mourinho without several established options.
Beyond Elche, though, Militao’s return offers Real Madrid something far more valuable: another experienced defensive option for the demanding weeks ahead.
After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian is now entering the final stretch, and if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could have their defender back in the squad around the middle of October.
