Real Madrid midfielder’s exit back on the agenda; return to former club possible

The future of Dani Ceballos at Real Madrid is once again surrounded by uncertainty. 

According to a recent report from Defensa Central, the midfielder’s potential exit from the Santiago Bernabeu is back on the agenda, reopening a storyline that has followed him for several transfer windows now.

Notably, this is far from the first time Ceballos has been linked with a move away from Madrid, and history suggests it may not be the last. 

His situation has often hovered between staying to fight for minutes and seeking a fresh start elsewhere, particularly when opportunities on the pitch have been limited. 

Last summer offered a clear example of how close he came to turning the page.

He was close to leaving

During the previous transfer window, Ceballos was on the verge of leaving the Spanish capital. 

He had practically sealed a move to Marseille, with talks progressing smoothly for much of the summer. 

Ceballos could soon leave Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

However, despite the advanced state of negotiations, the deal collapsed in the final days of the window, leaving the midfielder to remain at Real Madrid for another season.

One club that continues to loom large in discussions around his future is Real Betis. Ceballos is a beloved figure among the supporters, having enjoyed several strong seasons there before earning his move to Madrid. 

As things stand, however, Betis are simply unable to match his salary, which is reported to be around €5 million net per season.

Despite these complications, Ceballos has done little to hide his emotional attachment to Betis. 

Over time, he has dropped subtle hints on social media and spoken openly in interviews, keeping the possibility of a return alive. 

For now, though, is cannot be ruled out that he would stay put at least until the end of the season, mostly because Real Madrid have suffered several injuries this season and he can be a useful option to have.