Real Madrid midfielder’s future remains uncertain with move to former club complicated | OneFootball

Dani Ceballos, for long, has been a peripheral figure at Real Madrid and things have not changed for the midfielder under new manager Xabi Alonso.

The 29-year-old star does not have a big role in Alonso’s plans, as was seen by how sparingly he was used at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Ceballos did himself no favours when he got a chance in the pre-season friendly against WSG Tirol earlier this week, putting up a dull display in Innsbruck.

Getting a start in the injury-enforced absence of players like Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde, the midfielder underwhelmed.

Future remains uncertain

Now, according to AS, Ceballos’ future continues to remain uncertain as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch.

The midfielder has been linked with a departure all through the summer but there has been no movement thus far. And as we enter the last phase of the window, there is still no clarity as to where the Spaniard will play next season.

A return to Real Betis continues to resurface as a possibility every summer, though the financial obstacles remain the same, making the operation complicated.

What next for Ceballos? (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

After all, Real Betis would struggle to cover Real Madrid’s transfer fee demands and Ceballos’ high salary, under La Liga’s Fair Play restrictions.

Ceballos himself has not hidden his feelings about a potential move back to Betis.

Before rejoining Real Madrid for pre-season, he shared a training photo on social media with the track Quiero ser libre (“I want to be free”) by Los Chichos playing in the background – a thinly veiled message.

He had already fanned speculation earlier in the summer, stating: “Betis is my home and always will be. I’m open to everything.”

Valverde’s recovery will push Ceballos back to the bench against Osasuna. The season is long, and Real Madrid’s midfield depth will be tested, so his opportunities may yet arrive.

For now, however, he remains a peripheral figure under Xabi Alonso and continues to stare at an uncertain future.