Dani Ceballos Set to Leave Real Madrid as Ajax and Real Betis Lead Summer Transfer Race

Fabrizio Romano confirms Dani Ceballos is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer. Ajax and Real Betis are in the race to sign the Spanish midfielder.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 7:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Ysscores

The Final Chapter of a Nine-Year Tenure

Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos is reportedly "very close" to an exit from the Santiago Bernabéu as the 2026 summer transfer window approaches. Since joining from Real Betis in 2017, Ceballos has played 214 matches and secured 15 trophies with the club, but his prominence has waned significantly in recent seasons. According to Fabrizio Romano, the decision for a separation is mutual, with the player seeking a fresh start to revitalize a career that has seen him play just 810 minutes across 22 appearances in the current campaign.

Ajax Emerges as a Leading Suitor

Technical director Jordi Cruyff is reportedly leading a significant squad overhaul at Ajax, and Ceballos has emerged as a primary target for the Eredivisie side. The Dutch club, currently sitting in fifth place and facing a fourth consecutive season without silverware, views the Spaniard as an ideal deep-lying playmaker to anchor their midfield. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that contact has already been initiated with the player's representatives, though a final agreement remains contingent on the financial terms of a formal proposal.

The Emotional Allure of a Betis Return

While the move to the Netherlands remains a distinct possibility, Ceballos is reportedly prioritizing a return to Real Betis, the club where his professional journey began. Reports from Marca indicate that the midfielder is "dreaming" of a return to the Benito Villamarín Stadium, though the move is logistically complex. Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo would likely require Ceballos to accept a significant wage cut, and the transfer may depend on the potential departures of current squad members such as Sergi Altimira or Sofyan Amrabat.