End of an Era: Ceballos Set to Exit Real Madrid This Summer
After nine years, 214 appearances, and 15 trophies, Dani Ceballos’ time at Real Madrid is officially coming to an end. The departure is now a certainty — the only remaining question is where he will go next.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Ceballos will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract, with three clubs already lined up to swoop in for the midfielder. The situation has deteriorated to the point where both the player and the club are in full agreement that a clean break is the best outcome for all parties.
Ceballos has been unable to force his way into a midfield hierarchy that features Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga — leaving him as a peripheral figure in the squad’s rotation throughout the season. He has made just 22 appearances in all competitions this term, spread across La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, without managing a single goal or assist.
The atmosphere around his future has also taken a notable turn. His relationship with manager Álvaro Arbeloa is understood to have deteriorated sharply, with little expectation that the situation will improve. Tellingly, Arbeloa deliberately omitted Ceballos from the squad to face Real Betis last Friday — widely interpreted as a move to avoid a delicate situation given that Betis remain his most likely destination. When pressed on the exclusion afterwards, the manager deflected with a blunt “I always bring the players I consider appropriate.”
Ceballos himself appeared to send a cryptic farewell message on social media, sharing a training image accompanied by the song “Cerrando Capítulo” — which translates to “Closing a Chapter” — by Noriel. The symbolism was not lost on anyone.
Real Madrid are prepared to facilitate his departure as long as a suitable offer is received, viewing this summer as the last realistic opportunity to recoup a transfer fee rather than lose him for free in 2027. Ajax, now led by Jordi Cruyff as sporting director, have emerged as interested parties, while a return to boyhood club Real Betis remains Ceballos’ personal priority — though financial constraints at the Seville side have complicated that route on previous occasions.
Ceballos arrived at the Bernabéu in 2017 for €16.5 million after being named Player of the Tournament at the Under-21 European Championship, with Madrid beating Barcelona to his signature. He departs having won three Champions League titles and two La Liga trophies — a career at the very highest level, even if it never fully lived up to its extraordinary early promise.