Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder could still leave amid interest from Turkey – report
With the transfer deadline day past them, it would appear that Real Madrid’s squad is final with no more movements scheduled.
A recent report from Defensa Central, however, now relays that the case may not be as it appears, and that a player could indeed leave in the coming days.
The name in question is none other than Dani Ceballos – the midfielder who was heavily pushing for an exit from the club this summer and was even moments away from joining Marseille.
After a long drawn transfer saga, however, the player himself pulled the plug on the deal as the French side refused to provide him with some bonuses he demanded and went on to make himself available to Real Betis.
When his boyhood club turned away from his signing as well, he was left stranded at Real Madrid.
A surprising option
As relayed by the aforementioned outlet, several clubs from the Turkish league have contacted Ceballos in recent days as they still have the option to make signings.
The transfer market in Turkey stays open until 12 September, giving them over a week to plan and execute Ceballos’ signing should the player give the green light.
More importantly, the clubs from Turkey are willing to shell out the salary and bonuses Ceballos demands and thus would appeal to the player.
The big question now, however, is whether the midfielder still wants to leave the club or has decided to fight it out under Xabi Alonso.
With Real Madrid counting on him and a departure right now doubtful, the player will continue to have the options on his table until the winter transfer market when he can force a departure if his situation at the club does not improve.
So far this season, the 29-year-old has come off the bench in all three of Real Madrid’s games and all signs point to continued prominence in some capacity in the coming months.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
