Real Madrid star Dani Ceballos has become open to leaving the club in the summer of 2026, a move welcomed by the club’s management.
The Spanish international’s contract with Real Madrid still runs until the summer of 2027, but an early departure seems the most likely option that satisfies all parties involved.
Ceballos has given up and decided to leave
Ceballos is unhappy with his current role at Real Madrid, despite the promises he received last season when Xabi Alonso was appointed that he would be a regular starter.
The player also realizes that the injuries he has suffered throughout the current season have significantly hampered his progress, despite the urgent need for his services in midfield given the other injuries at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ceballos believes his situation will become more difficult next season, with Florentino Pérez’s administration intending to sign a new midfielder to fill the void left by the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
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For these reasons, Ceballos believes that leaving next summer would be the best step to salvage his career. Surprisingly, Real Madrid welcomes this idea but has set conditions for its implementation.
Real Madrid welcomes Ceballos’ departure for a fee
Real Madrid officials are convinced that Ceballos’ departure in the summer of 2026 has become a necessity. There is no intention of entering into negotiations with him to renew his contract, and this is the last opportunity to generate some financial profit from him instead of losing him for free in 2027.
Due to his numerous injuries and inconsistent performances, Ceballos has lost the confidence of Florentino Pérez and his entourage. The prevailing belief is that relying on the 28-year-old is pointless, and it would be better for the club to buy a new midfielder or promote a young player to fill the role of a substitute.
Ceballos wants to return to Real Betis
Since last summer, Ceballos has identified Real Betis as the only club he wants to play for if he leaves Real Madrid, but at that time, the Merengues’ financial demands prevented the deal from going through.
Real Madrid will not accept selling their star player next summer for less than €15 million, which also precludes a third stint for Ceballos with the Andalusian club, unless Pérez shows flexibility in negotiations and lowers this price.
Whether Ceballos stays or changes his mind about Real Betis, he will find interest from several clubs in Spain as well as from the English Premier League, where he previously played for Arsenal.
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Ceballos with Real Madrid this season
Ceballos started the season well alongside Xabi Alonso, and over time became a key player in midfield, before an injury sidelined him after he suffered a calf strain in his right leg approximately two months ago.
Overall, Ceballos has played 22 matches for Real Madrid this season, distributed across La Liga (15 matches), the Champions League (4 matches), the Copa del Rey (1 match), and the Spanish Super Cup (2 matches), without managing to score or assist any goals.
This marks Ceballos’ fifth consecutive season with Real Madrid, following the end of his loan spell at Arsenal in 2021. He has won numerous titles with Los Blancos, most notably the Champions League (three times) and La Liga (twice).
In total, Ceballos joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2017 for €16.5 million. Since then, he has made 214 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 7 goals and providing 16 assists.
