The future of Dani Ceballos at Real Madrid is once again in question as negotiations with Olympique Marseille continue to gather pace in the final days of the transfer window. Reports from Spain suggest that discussions between the French club and Madrid remain ongoing, with a potential deal on the table that could see the midfielder depart for Ligue 1 before the deadline.
Should Ceballos leave, Madrid’s plan is not to pursue a costly replacement on the market. Instead, the club is expected to promote
academy product Thiago Pitarch into the senior squad, trusting the young midfielder to occupy what would essentially be the team’s fifth option in the central unit. Madrid’s confidence in that approach is bolstered by the anticipated return of Nico Paz next summer, when the 19-year-old is expected to reintegrate into the first team and further strengthen depth in midfield.
Still, the negotiations between Real Madrid, Marseille and Ceballos are far from straightforward. The French club reportedly prefer a loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer, while Madrid’s stance is clear: they would only sanction Ceballos’ departure through a permanent transfer this summer. With just days left before the window closes, the outcome of the saga remains uncertain.
