Real Madrid may face a busy transfer period after Dani Ceballos expressed a desire to join Olympique Marseille and negotiations have begun. Ceballos wants regular first-team football to improve his Spain World Cup 2026 prospects after becoming frustrated with a second-choice role. A Ceballos exit would leave Madrid a midfielder short and affect Xabi Alonso's plan to use three energetic midfielders. Current options include Tchouameni, Valverde, Guler, Camavinga and the injured Jude Bellingham. Madrid would seek a defensive-midfield profile if Marseille meets a €15m asking price, and Adam Wharton has emerged as a target.
Ceballos is eager to move to the Stade Velodrome after becoming frustrated with his status as a second-choice at Madrid and believes first-team football would enhance his chances of a call-up to the Spain squad for next summer's World Cup. 🚨⚪️🔵 Dani Ceballos wants Olympique Marseille move, he trusts the project and wants to play on regular basis ahead of World Cup 2026.Ceballos, still hoping for deal to happen despite differences on the fee. Deal depends on Real Madrid.OM also negotiate for Florentino Luis. pic.twitter.com/R9IZyBv5zu- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2025
What could happen if Ceballos leaves? If he does complete a move to France, it would leave Madrid a midfielder short. Xabi Alonso likes to play with three energetic midfielders, enabling the likes of Vinicius Jr, Franco Mastantuono and Rodrygo to create from wide areas. Currently they have Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga on the books, as well as Jude Bellingham who is out of action until October as he continues his comeback from a shoulder operation.
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