Chelsea are interested in signing Real Madrid centre-back Rafa Marin, according to AS.

The Spanish publication claims that both the Blues and Bundesliga side RB Leipzig are keeping a close eye on the defender’s situation at the Bernabeu.

Marin has just a year left on his contract at Real and, while there was an expectation that he would be offered a new deal, no extension has been tabled so far.

AS report that a departure during the summer transfer window is gaining “weight” with his two possible destinations being either England or Germany.

What do we know about the Chelsea target?

Marin joined Real Madrid from Sevilla’s academy in 2016 and he made his way up through the youth ranks with the La Liga side until he made his first appearance for the Castilla team (Real’s B side) in May 2021.

The centre-half has spent the last two seasons trying to help Castilla regain their status in the Spanish second division. However, despite reaching the playoff final this campaign, they lost to Eldense over two legs and they will remain in the third tier for another year.

Marin has also been capped by Spain at youth level, featuring at the European Under 17 Championships and Under 17 World Cup back in 2019.

Chelsea are unlikely to recruit Marin for the first team

Despite the departure of Kalidou Koulibaly for Saudi Arabia, the Blues still have five centre-backs in the first-team squad including Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah.

You would have to assume that Marin is being targeted for the Under 23 setup or potentially for a loan move. With Chelsea’s owners having recently acquired Strasbourg, it may help the defender’s development as he could be sent to the Ligue One side on a temporary basis for a season or more.