Dani Ceballos’ Transfer Situation
Dani Ceballos, a midfielder for Real Madrid, has decided to pause a transfer to Marseille in light of his strong desire to return to Real Betis, according to reports from ESPN. The 29-year-old Spanish player had been on the brink of transitioning to Ligue 1, with negotiations appearing to move smoothly between the two clubs on Tuesday. However, recent developments indicate that Ceballos is now focused on the possibility of rejoining Betis, where he originally began his career and is a lifelong supporter.
Playing Time and National Team Aspirations
Ceballos, who has featured minimally in the initial LaLiga matches this season, was only called upon for four minutes across two games under new manager Xabi Alonso. This limited playing time has prompted him to express a need for regular action, especially as he aims to secure a spot on the Spain national team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Transfer Negotiations
Initially, there was a loan agreement involving a mandatory purchase clause of €15 million (approximately $17.39 million) between Real Madrid and Marseille, but Ceballos has opted to hold off on the move, indicating a preference to find a way back to Betis.
Both Ceballos and Betis are actively exploring pathways to facilitate this transfer. Betis is simultaneously pursuing a deal for Antony from Manchester United but remains hopeful that they can also land Ceballos. Should negotiations not yield a successful agreement with Madrid, it’s plausible that the midfielder might remain at his current club, as Marseille has now stepped back from their interest following Ceballos’ shift in focus.
Real Madrid’s Response
Meanwhile, Real Madrid is evaluating potential substitutes for Ceballos should he finalize a departure but has yet to identify a suitable replacement. There is also speculation that 18-year-old Thiago Pitarch could be promoted into the first team in the event of Ceballos leaving.
Real Madrid’s Season Performance
As for Real Madrid’s season performance, they have a perfect record thus far, securing two wins from two matches: a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna and a more convincing 3-0 triumph against Real Oviedo. The club has bolstered its squad this summer with several new signings, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono.
