Dani Ceballos Will Not End Up in France and Is Set to Stay at Real Madrid
The move of Dani Ceballos to Olympique de Marseille has collapsed at the last moment, and the midfielder now looks set to remain at Real Madrid, despite his limited role at the start of the season.
Marseille deal falls through
The attempt by Olympique de Marseille to sign Dani Ceballos broke down on Wednesday, after the parties failed to reach a definitive agreement. Although negotiations had advanced, the Spanish midfielder ultimately rejected the conditions proposed by the French side, leaving the transfer off the table.
As a result, Ceballos will remain, at least for now, with Real Madrid, where his contract runs until June 30, 2027. Still, with the transfer window open until September 1, there’s time for him to explore an exit should he maintain his desire for more playing time — something that appears hard to come by under Xabi Alonso.
Reduced role under Xabi Alonso
The contrast compared to last season is striking. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Ceballos racked up nearly 1,988 minutes across all competitions. But under new boss Xabi Alonso, his presence has been minimal: just one minute against Osasuna and four against Real Oviedo in the opening two matches of LaLiga.
Even if Ceballos leaves, Real Madrid is unlikely to make moves in the market to replace him. Xabi Alonso still counts on midfielders such as Aurélien Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, Arda Güler, and the currently injured Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham, who are expected back in September and October.
In addition, the situation could open the door for academy talent. Youngster Thiago Pitarch, recently renewed and already included in the first two league matchday squads, could be poised for a bigger role if Ceballos departs.
What’s next for Ceballos?
With the transfer window closing soon, Dani Ceballos faces decisive days. While Real Madrid does not plan to reinforce the midfield if he leaves, the player must decide whether to fight for minutes in the white shirt or push for a transfer to secure regular playing time and boost his chances of returning to the Spanish national team.
For now, what is certain is that his stint with Real Madrid continues, even if his importance under Xabi Alonso seems far from what he envisioned when he renewed his contract.
