Real Madrid block exit of 28-year-old star despite interest from 2 clubs ahead of January transfer window: Reports
Real Madrid will not allow Dani Ceballos to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in January, according to Sport. The Spanish midfielder has struggled for game time this season and is wanted by Real Betis and Real Sociedad.
Ceballos signed a new contract with Los Blancos in the summer of 2023, but Jude Bellingham's arrival has hurt his chances at the Santiago Bernabeu. Last season, the 28-year-old registered one goal and two assists from 27 games across competitions.
He was heavily linked with an exit from the club over the summer, but the LaLiga giants opted against a departure. Dani Ceballos has been in and out of Carlo Ancelotti's team so far, registering just 108 minutes of first-team action over six games.
Injuries haven't helped his cause, but the Spaniard has started just one game this campaign. His former club Real Betis are already plotting to prise him away, but they face competition from Sociedad.
Real Madrid, however, are unwilling to consider his departure. Ancelotti considers Ceballos a key figure in the squad, as the player offers more physicality in the middle of the park compared to the other midfielders.
With Aurelien Tchouameni injured and Los Blancos still struggling to deal with Toni Kroos' retirement, the Spaniard could yet have the chances he craves. As such, despite rising interest in his services, Real Madrid will not let him go in the middle of the season.
Are Carlo Ancelotti's days at Real Madrid numbered?
Carlo Ancelotti has struggled to get his star-studded team firing on all cylinders this season. Real Madrid have lost the last two home games against Barcelona and AC Milan, further piling the pressure on the Italian manager. They are second in the league table, nine points behind the Catalans with a game in hand.
The LaLiga champions now look a shadow of a team that dominated the league and the Champions League last season. The arrival of Kylian Mbappe seems to have unsettled Los Blancos.
Carlo Ancelotti has used the Frenchman as a No. 9 due to Vinicius Junior's presence, and Mbappe hasn't lived up to his billing so far. The 25-year-old's signing may have also affected Jude Bellingham, who is yet to replicate his form from last season.
A recent report from SPORT has stated that Real Madrid could turn to former manager Zinedine Zidane to replace Ancelotti if results don't improve.