Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder’s future to be decided at the end of the season
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos’ future will be decided only at the end of the season. The Spaniard has explored other options on the table but is currently prioritising continuing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ceballos has grown in stature gradually in the ongoing campaign and is set for a prominent role in the coming weeks due to the injury-enforced absence of Luka Modric.
The Spanish international has earned that chance with repeated impressive performances on the pitch, which have even prompted the Real Madrid faithful to chant his name and ask him to stay at the club during matches at the Bernabeu.
That was the case again this past Saturday as Real Madrid cruised to a win over UD Almeria, with Ceballos impressing with his performance in midfield.
The midfielder’s contract expires on June 30 and even though it has been said that Real Madrid have called him up to discuss a new deal, The Athletic claims that any decision over his future will only be made at the end of the season.
Ceballos, for his part, is understood to have met with a reputed representation agency to assess what kind offers he might have if he were to leave Real Madrid.
The midfielder is not looking to return to England after having a mixed experience during his time on loan at Arsenal. His priority is to continue in Spain even if he would leave Madrid. If it is not possible, Germany and Italy would also be possible avenues.
There have been talks of Atletico Madrid having made an approach for Ceballos, although he is believed to have knocked it back. The midfielder remains keen on staying with the Merengues as things stand.
But with Jude Bellingham’s potential arrival in the summer, his situation could deteriorate as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are also expected to renew. So, it will be interesting to see what Ceballos decides in the coming weeks.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
