Real Madrid yet to receive offers for out-of-favour midfielder with €20 million price tag

The summer transfer window is often a period of significant flux at Real Madrid, and this year appears no different, particularly concerning the future of midfielder Dani Ceballos. Everything points towards the former Real Betis orchestrator departing the Santiago Bernabéu, yet despite his clear availability and an apparent €20 million price tag, concrete offers for the Spaniard have been conspicuously absent. This precarious position highlights the challenges of offloading players who, despite their talent, no longer fit into the club's evolving tactical vision or long-term plans, a scenario that seems to resonate with what a setup like Xabi Alonso's might demand from its midfield engine room.

Ceballos's journey since arriving in the capital has been a testament to unfulfilled potential and persistent competition. Signed from Real Betis in 2017, he has often found himself on the periphery of the starting XI, battling for minutes against a constellation of world-class midfielders including Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and the emerging Jude Bellingham. His stints have been punctuated by flashes of brilliance, particularly his incisive passing and close control, but equally by frustrating injuries and a struggle to maintain consistent form. Despite signing a new contract extension last summer, his role has diminished further, making a permanent departure the most logical step for both player and club to secure regular playing time and free up squad space, respectively.

The €20 million valuation, while seemingly reasonable for a player of Ceballos's technical ability and experience, appears to be a sticking point in the current market. Clubs are seemingly hesitant to meet this figure, perhaps due to concerns over his injury record, his relatively high wages, or simply a perception that his impact doesn't justify the investment given the wealth of midfield options available across Europe. Real Madrid, keen to streamline their squad and potentially reinvest in other areas, faces the challenge of finding a suitor willing to match their valuation. As the transfer window progresses, the urgency for a resolution will undoubtedly grow, leaving Ceballos in an uncomfortable limbo as he awaits a move that could reignite his career away from the demanding glare of the Bernabéu.