Three reasons why Real Madrid should retain fringe midfielder this summer | OneFootball

Real Madrid are currently walking a tightrope when it comes to their squad size. With the team already at full capacity, they cannot bring in any new players unless they first offload someone.

As the management looks at potential exits, Dani Ceballos is one of the names being talked about. Reports have suggested that Madrid are open to selling him for around €15 million, but no concrete offers have been made so far.

Interestingly, this lack of interest could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Los Blancos. While Ceballos may not have played a big role last season, there are valid reasons why he should be kept around.

With Luka Modric gone and Jude Bellingham set to miss the start of the new campaign, having Ceballos in the mix could prove crucial for the 2025/26 season.

Here are three solid reasons why Real Madrid should hold on to the Spanish midfielder this summer.

Could be the missing creative outlay

After Real Madrid’s disappointing exit to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final, it became clear that the team lacked a true creative link in the middle of the pitch.

Dani Ceballos deserves a chance. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Someone who can control the tempo, pick out passes, and offer that spark going forward. While big names like Rodri are being looked at, the cost is sky-high.

Ceballos, on the other hand, is already at the club and has shown signs of promise. Towards the end of last season, he displayed moments of quality that reminded fans of his technical ability and vision.

He is not under the spotlight like many of his teammates, such as Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Jr., but this will allow him to play with more freedom and less pressure.

With Modric now gone, Real Madrid would do well to give Ceballos a real chance to step up and fill that creative void, especially under a new manager like Xabi Alonso, who may find ways to get the best out of him.

Minimal financial gain

Dani Ceballos would not generate a lot of funds. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Although Madrid are open to selling Ceballos, the financial reward does not justify the decision.

A €15 million fee is being quoted, but that amount won’t make a significant dent in their overall transfer strategy. And even that fee seems unlikely, as no club has stepped up with a matching offer so far.

If Madrid do decide to let him go, they may end up accepting a lower bid just to move him on. This creates another problem – finding a suitable replacement.

Given the current market, signing a new midfielder could cost upwards of €50–100 million.

Just take Rodri for example. The club would need to shell out around €100 million for him. Selling Ceballos would only increase the spending gap and create more problems than solutions.

No Bellingham for three months

Jude Bellingham will miss the start of the 2025/26 season. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

One of the biggest issues Real Madrid will face at the start of the 2025/26 season is Jude Bellingham’s injury. The English midfielder is expected to be out for up to three months, which means he will miss the opening part of the season.

That leaves Real Madrid with just four midfielders for three positions, namely Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler.

This is where keeping Ceballos becomes essential. His experience and versatility can help the team during this critical period.

Whether starting games or coming off the bench, Ceballos can be a useful asset in managing the workload and avoiding early-season fatigue for the others.

Letting him go before Bellingham returns could weaken the team at a time when they need depth the most.