Marseille Talk to Real Madrid About Loan for Dani Ceballos as Adrien Rabiot’s Replacement

Marseille have opened negotiations with Real Madrid for Dani Ceballos, hoping to sign the midfielder on loan with a potential permanent purchase clause, as they line him up as their dream midfield signing.

WHAT HAPPENED?

“Negotiations have now started between Olympique Marseille and Real Madrid for Dani Ceballos deal!” Romano wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “OM want Ceballos as new midfielder after Rabiot and Rowe deal, plan revealed 1 month ago. Early talks between clubs for initial loan with option to buy as 1st step.”

Ceballos has been left in the cold under new manager Xabi Alonso this season, featuring just once in the first games of the new campaign, coming on as a second-half substitute in the opening weekend defeat to Real Oviedo. The 27-year-old has made it clear he is not happy with his current situation, taking to social media following the Oviedo defeat and writing: “Last dance.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Real Madrid splashed out almost £200m during the summer transfer window. But the heavy spending resulted in them failing to offload several players, despite a number of exits supposedly being lined up as the window drew to a close.

Jake Cusick, exclusively for football.london, wrote earlier this week that Ceballos was among a host of players who could leave the Santiago Bernabeu after being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. Los Blancos may look to offload the Spaniard permanently, though, so could offer Marseille the opportunity to sign him permanently rather than on loan.

WHAT NEXT?

Marseille will now look to agree a deal with Real Madrid for Ceballos before the transfer window slams shut on Nov. 15. They may face competition from former club Real Betis, though, who were linked with Ceballos before the start of the current season and have the option of signing him as a free agent next summer when he is due to become a free agent.