Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder closing on return to boyhood club but old wounds are complicating the deal
Dani Ceballos’ long-awaited return to Real Betis appears to be edging closer, with the Real Madrid midfielder now prepared to make significant sacrifices to complete the move.
After being granted his release by Real Madrid, Ceballos is expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent and return to the club where his professional career began.
However, despite the willingness shown by both the player and Betis, the operation has not progressed as smoothly as many initially expected.
According to AS, there are still figures within the Real Betis hierarchy who have not fully moved on from the events of three years ago when Ceballos opted to extend his stay at Real Madrid instead of returning to the Benito Villamarin.
Ceballos ready to sacrifice millions for Betis move
The desire to return to Real Betis has never appeared stronger for Ceballos, who is prepared to walk away from nearly €5 million net in salary in order to make the transfer happen this summer.
Despite receiving interest from elsewhere, including Ajax, the Spaniard has prioritised a return to Betis over any alternative destination.
From the outside, it may seem like a straightforward deal, but the situation remains complicated.
Why is that?
One of the biggest obstacles in the Dani Ceballos transfer involves lingering resentment from within parts of the Real Betis leadership.
It is said that some influential figures at the club have not forgotten what happened in 2023 when Ceballos approached the final months of his Real Madrid contract.
At the time, there was strong optimism that the midfielder would return. Instead, Ceballos chose to renew his contract with Real Madrid and remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for another four years.
That decision left a bitter taste among some directors.
Now, there is a belief in certain areas of the club that Ceballos kept both options open simultaneously, negotiating with Real Madrid while also maintaining conversations with Betis.
On the other hand, others inside the club understand why he made that choice.
At 29 years old, Ceballos was still competing for major trophies at one of the biggest clubs in world football while also remaining part of Spain’s plans.
For many, extending his Real Madrid career was simply the logical sporting decision, but not everyone has completely moved on.
So what now?
Right now, Real Betis are hesitant about making Ceballos one of the highest-paid players in the squad.
There are also discussions surrounding the signing bonus that typically accompanies a free transfer and those details still need to be resolved before the agreement can be completed.
From Ceballos’ side, there is a clear willingness to compromise, but he does not want his desire to return home to be interpreted as desperation and that is where the final negotiations become important.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
