Dani Ceballos Closing In On Olympique Marseille Move

Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos may leave Real Madrid for Olympique Marseille before the transfer window closes. The two clubs are discussing a loan deal, which will probably become permanent by next summer according to recent reports.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 29-year-old is set to join Marseille due to a lack of playing time at Real Madrid this season. The discussions focus on a loan move with a purchase requirement below €15 million. Ceballos has a contract with Madrid until June 2027 but has been left out since Xabi Alonso became coach. He has only featured once this season, coming on as a second-half substitute, slipping down the pecking order at the Bernabeu. While he has made nearly 200 appearances for Madrid and brings experience, Ceballos rarely starts these days. Reports confirm that Marseille have opened negotiations with Real Madrid for Ceballos.

WHY MARSEILLE WANT CEBALLOS

Marseille have made Ceballos a priority signing, after opening up the sale of Adrien Rabiot. The French club needs midfield reinforcements after a mixed start to the Ligue 1 season. Marseille sit middle in the table, with one win and one loss from their two opening matches. A creative midfielder like Ceballos could help the team control games better and reach higher in the standings. The club’s next match is against Lyon, who have won both their matches so far. Both teams are fighting for a place in the Champions League spots early in the season.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CEBALLOS AND THE CLUBS?

All parties are working to finish the deal before the transfer window closes. This move would end Ceballos’s eight-year stint at Madrid, where he scored seven goals and provided 16 assists in 194 appearances. For Marseille, this signing shows their desire to fight for European qualification in Ligue 1. On the contrary, Real Madrid continues to reshape their squad under Alonso, giving younger players more roles. Fans will keep a close eye on whether Ceballos’s arrival helps Marseille improve their performance in upcoming matches, starting with their match against top of the table Lyon.