Real Madrid must activate the exit operation in its squad. There are players who are not in the plans and space is needed if Xabi Alonso’s team is to be strengthened so that it can return to its best form and fight for the titles that slipped away last season. The planning for the new season includes sales and one of those on the way out, for yet another summer, is Dani Ceballos. The player has not featured since the arrival of the new coach and could be looking for a new challenge. The problem is that the only destination he seems to want to go to is almost impossible.
A World Cup without a starring role
Dani Ceballos surprised many who saw him out of the team last summer by gaining prominence in midfield, at times looking like the new Kroos. However, an injury in the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad left him out of action for a couple of months, and from then on he never regained the same form or prominence. This has continued with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, who has given the Utrera-born player just 70 minutes in six games during the Club World Cup: 30 against Pachuca, 16 against Salzburg, one minute against Juve and 23 against Dortmund. The coach previously relied on Arda Güler as a starter and Modric as his preferred substitute.
Faced with this situation, the midfielder is rethinking his future, in which he sees only two options, according to journalist José Félix Díaz: continue at Real Madrid, where he has a contract until 2027, or force a return to Sevilla to play for Real Betis once and for all. Although there has been talk of interest from Juventus, the player is clear that his future lies elsewhere.
The player’s wish
The player publicly reiterated his desire to return to the green and white team, making it clear that he will make decisions about his future in the coming weeks. Upon his arrival in Seville for his vacation, the player spoke to the press. “I’m on vacation after a long season. Everything is fine. It’s an important issue for me, but we’ll talk about my future in a few weeks. Betis was my home and always will be,“ he said. ”I hope the door is always open for me. I haven’t spoken to them yet. Well, we’re open to everything,” added Ceballos.
Florentino’s condition for letting him go
Real Betis has also stated on several occasions that the interest is mutual, but there is a problem. Florentino is open to the player leaving, but he hasn’t forgotten that he renewed his contract and is under contract until 2027, so a transfer fee would have to be paid. After the latest review, the specialized website Transfermarkt puts his market value at €10 million. However, according to reports, Real Madrid values Ceballos at €20 million, double his estimated market value.
Real Betis proposes an unacceptable price
Ángel Haro, president of Real Betis, said a few days ago in an interview with Cope Sevilla that this was the main reason why the player was leaving: “Dani had a moment when it was the right time to come. Now we are not in a position to face a transfer of any magnitude. It’s very hypothetical. It’s complicated. It’s complex. He renewed with Madrid and I think he wants to feel like a Real Madrid player.” However, Diario AS has reported in recent hours that it is not an option that has been ruled out, but that Benito Villamarín would be willing to go for the signing as long as the price is between €5 million and €10 million. This amount seems insufficient for the white team, at least for the moment.