Real Madrid midfielder has an agreement with Ligue 1 side; move still far from complete | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso has made clear the players he counts on for the 2025/26 season and those he does not through his plans in recent weeks.

One name he clearly does not consider a key part in his project is Dani Ceballos.

The Spanish midfielder had just eight minutes of action in Real Madrid’s game against Osasuna and played no part in the subsequent clash against Real Oviedo.

Unsurprisingly, the player is pushing for a departure as he wishes for a prominent role in a top European club. At 29 years of age, he is after all nearing the twilight of his career.

Agreement in place

As relayed by Matteo Moretto in MARCA, Ceballos has an agreement with Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille and has given the green light to the French club.

After all, he will have regular minutes as a starter and can be a key piece in their midfield.

Ceballos is likely to leave this summer. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

What is pending, however, is the agreement between Real Madrid and Olympique Marseille and the deal will progress once the two clubs reach an understanding or mutually satisfying solution.

The two clubs have been in talks for a few days now and Los Blancos have slapped a price tag of close to €15 to 20 million on the fringe midfielder.

There has also been talk of a possible departure on loan with an option to buy and it remains to be seen which deal works out.

Given the competition for a place in midfield and Xabi Alonso’s ideology of even playing wing-backs as potential midfielders, there is little to no scope for Ceballos to stay and fight for a spot at Real Madrid.

The rise of Arda Guler and the arrival of Franco Mastantuono, needless to say, were the final nail in the coffin for him.