Dani Ceballos, the midfielder for Real Madrid, is looking to leave the club this summer. The club is aware of his desire to move on. Ceballos, who has not had a representative for some time, has been in discussions with the board about his future. It is expected that more talks will be held to sort out the situation during this transfer window.
Several clubs have expressed interest in the 27-year-old Spaniard, and Real Madrid is also conscious of this fact. In 2023, Madrid extended Ceballos’ contract until 2027, with an increase in salary to reflect his good performances at the end of that season. However, Ceballos only played 881 minutes during the 2023-24 season, ranking 20th in the squad, and is seeking more playing time.
While the board understands Ceballos’ perspective, they still have confidence in his abilities. It will not be easy for Ceballos to leave as Real Madrid will not let him go easily. The club believes that his salary may be too high for other Spanish clubs, where Ceballos has previously expressed a desire to play.
Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach, and his staff have always seen Ceballos as a key player for the post-Kroos and Modric era due to his playing style. With Kroos leaving this summer after the European Championship, and Modric reportedly agreeing to a new deal until 2025, Ceballos’ potential departure could leave a gap in the midfield.
In the event that Ceballos does leave, Real Madrid has decided not to sign any new midfielders, despite Kroos’ departure. Instead, they would consider promoting Mario Martin or Nico Paz from Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team known for developing young talent.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but Ceballos’ potential departure could have implications for Real Madrid’s midfield strategy going forward. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.