Dani Ceballos, radical turn in 5 hours: Fabrizio Romano announces the final decision

Real Madrid has faced the possible departure of Dani Ceballos in the final days of the 2025 summer transfer window, an operation that virtually no one expected. Despite the barely discreet attempts by the Andalusian footballer to leave Santiago Bernabéu locker room, Real Betis hasn't shown enough interest in acquiring his services.

That's why the option of Olympique de Marseille has gained great relevance since the beginning of this very week. The executives led by Florentino Pérez would look favorably on the departure of the Madridist footballer given his previous insistence on leaving the Spanish capital.

Xabi Alonso insists that "I count on everyone", but the Utrera-born number '19' is getting closer to becoming a new player in the French sports discipline. Fabrizio Romano reportedly revealed this through his social media, with negotiations that have lasted more thanfive hours in an attempt to reconcile the viewpoints of those involved.

According to the Italian journalist, Dani Ceballos's departure would take place as a loan with an obligation to buy. It remains to be seen how many millions Real Madrid would request for that purchase clause, although most informed opinion places the figure at €15 million.

It's about to happen

In any case, the Sevillian player is really close to leaving Real Madrid in the final stretch of the 2025 summer transfer window. The negotiations that took place during the previous night would have helped considerably to correct the course of a transfer that "has become complicated" according to Matteo Moretto on the afternoon of Tuesday the 26th.

The departure of Dani Ceballos to Olympique de Marseille not only affects the Andalusian player himself. It also leaves a significant void in Santiago Bernabéu locker room, after the departure of Luka Modric and the retirement of Toni Kroos. The Toulouse-born coach loses another creative midfielder as he tries to rebuild the Madridist midfield.

That's why he would have insisted, now more than ever, on signing a footballer with good ball control and great vision... preferably with a defensive profile. The Valdebebas offices agree with that idea, although they've made it clear that they couldn't make such a signing unless there is a high-profile departure.

Xabi Alonso will have to adapt to the more than likely loss of another midfielder with proper creative abilities, who had the 'mission' to help Arda Güler control the Madridist midfield. The only replacement at his disposal will be one of the youth players who has fascinated him so much this preseason: Thiago Pitarch.