Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder will definitely leave this summer; Ajax interested
There will be some notable changes made to the Real Madrid squad in the summer after what has been another disappointing season.
While a number of new arrivals are being planned, there will be cuts made to the current roster, with quite a few players likely to depart.
One such player whose time at the Santiago Bernabeu could be nearing an end is midfielder Dani Ceballos.
Ceballos set to depart, Ajax keen
Indeed, according to Matteo Moretto on MARCA, Ceballos is set to definitely leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
And, as per the journalist, Dutch heavyweights Ajax have shown a strong interest in signing the Spaniard, with initial contacts also taking place.
Ceballos has endured another frustrating season during which he has struggled for relevance in the first team at Real Madrid.
So far in 2025/26, the 29-year-old midfielder has only played 810 minutes across 22 matches across all competitions, starting only seven of those.
Ceballos’ contract expires in the summer of 2027, meaning he will enter the final year of his deal this summer.
It has become clear that he does not have a prominent role in the team and not selling him this summer would leave Real Madrid at the risk of losing him for free next year.
So, a departure at the end of the season is very much on the cards. What now remains to be seen is whether the interest from Ajax materialises into something beyond the initial contact.
After all, Ceballos had already rejected Marseille last summer in the final minute after an agreement had been reached.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid believe recent events vs Villarreal and Roma were necessary to unite dressing room
As is the case always, there is a lot of noise surrounding Real Madrid. The Merengues continue to wage war against FC Barcelona over the Negreira case while continuing to battle the refereeing system in La Liga.
Performances on the pitch have not met the level of expectations and there is constant scrutiny on the team and the club as a whole.
Not a coincidence
Now, according to Jose Felix Diaz of AS, Real Madrid do not view recent events as isolated incidents. At Valdebebas, the club’s leadership believes that what has happened since the start of La Liga points to something more than a series of coincidences.
In their view, the events suggest a deliberate pattern, with the four-match suspension handed to Vinícius Jr. on Wednesday representing the culmination of what they perceive as a series of provocations.
Relations between Real Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have been strained for some time, but club officials believe the latest developments go further than previous disagreements.
Their view is that what has happened “has not been accidental”, although this is a reflection of the club’s position rather than an established fact.
Vinicius suspension intensifies the dispute
Real Madrid see the four-match ban imposed on Vinicius as a provocation, both because of its length and, above all, because of the timing of its announcement. The decision was communicated less than two hours before kick-off against Roma.
The RFEF’s disciplinary decisions are usually published in the early afternoon. However, the complexity of the Vinicius case coupled with some other events delayed the publication of all the rulings, not just the one concerning the Brazilian’s red card.
Nevertheless, the timing has reinforced Real Madrid’s existing concerns about their relationship with the governing body.
Mourinho becomes the club’s public voice
The latest disagreement comes after tentative efforts to open a dialogue, which have so far failed to produce meaningful progress. Relations between the two sides appear more distant than ever.
One significant difference this time is that Jose Mourinho has become the principal spokesperson for Real Madrid’s position. The Portuguese coach is prepared to communicate the club’s views directly and without diplomatic restraint.
Mourinho represents the club’s thinking and shares its concerns. His personality and direct communication style align with the message Real Madrid want to convey.
Comeback in Rome could prove a turning point
Despite the growing tension off the pitch, Real Madrid believe their recent performances could have a positive impact within the squad.
The club consider the events of Saturday and the comeback against Roma on Wednesday to have been particularly important.
There is a strong belief at Valdebebas that the team needed moments of adversity and a comeback of that magnitude to achieve greater unity within the dressing room.
The Champions League battle in Rome is therefore viewed as more than just another result. Internally, the conviction is that the experience could help strengthen the team’s collective spirit and bring the players together at a crucial stage of the season.
