During Real Betis’ official unveiling of Junior Firpo, the club’s president Ángel Haro and sporting director Manu Fajardo addressed the growing speculation around a potential return for Dani Ceballos — and made it clear that while the door isn’t closed, any move would have to make sense both financially and professionally.
Fajardo emphasized the importance of respecting Real Madrid.
“Dani currently belongs to Real Madrid, he has a valid contract, we have to be respectful of other entities when we speak
ADpublicly,” Fajardo told the press. “In my role as sporting director, I have to monitor all possible situations, not only with Dani but with other players, and there’s little more I can say.”
Ceballos has been linked with a Betis return for years, but as things stand, his future at the Bernabéu remains unresolved. Fajardo admitted to having been in touch with the player, but was adamant about not turning the situation into a drawn-out drama.
“Have I spoken with Dani? Of course, like with other players,” he continued. “I’m not going to make a soap opera out of this or give details of my conversations, of course. From here, my utmost respect to Dani, the best of luck to Dani and Real Madrid in the future, and I reiterate that everyone here has a very clear conscience.”
Fajardo also addressed recent speculation surrounding Betis’ conduct and internal discussions about the player.
“I speak for myself and, if you’ll allow me, for my team and members of the sports commission: we have a clear conscience. If we don’t sleep at night it’s because of stress or working 16 hours a day. I have a conscience that’s just as clear as Ceballos’.”
Club president Ángel Haro also weighed in, highlighting the financial complexities that come with bringing a former star back to the Benito Villamarín.
“Betis must be rigorous in its financial controls. We have been ambitious, exploring our possibilities to the limit,” Haro said. “We will make the necessary efforts, but always within a framework of financial rigor.”
Haro confirmed that the club isn’t opposed to bringing back former players, but underlined that any such deal must be financially sound — especially given that Betis would now need to negotiate with Real Madrid directly, unlike previous talks when Ceballos was a free agent.
“Betis isn’t closing the door on any player, much less on those who have been at this club,” he said. “Players simply have to fit within certain financial parameters… I’ve already mentioned the Dani issue; he had the opportunity two years ago when the negotiations were between two parties. Now there are three. That makes things much more complicated, and Betis isn’t going to pay a large transfer fee for Dani because it wouldn’t make sense.”
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