Real Madrid near €6 million departure of Dani Ceballos to Ajax
Dutch side Ajax are closing in on a deal for the former Arsenal player, with manager Míchel citing him as a priority target.
Real Madrid are close to finalising a €6 million transfer of midfielder Dani Ceballos to Dutch club Ajax, a move that will bring his tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu to a definitive end. The deal provides a financial boost to the La Liga giants as they navigate the summer transfer window, with negotiations described as progressing well and very close to completion.
The departure of the midfielder from Utrera aligns with the strategic decisions of Real Madrid’s management, including president Florentino Pérez, who had established specific financial demands for his exit. Ceballos, who previously played for Arsenal before joining the Spanish side, is no longer part of the club’s long-term plans, prompting the search for a suitor willing to meet the required valuation.
Ajax manager Míchel has identified Ceballos as a priority target to strengthen the midfield, reportedly viewing him as a key component for the engine room. According to a report from Marca, which was cited by Yahoo Sports, the Dutch powerhouse moved quickly to engage with Real Madrid once the player became available, securing talks that have now reached an advanced stage.
The structure of the agreement involves a fee of approximately €6 million, though the specific contractual terms, such as whether the deal includes a loan with an obligation to buy or a permanent transfer, have not been detailed in the source material. The report indicates that the financial demands set by the Madrid leadership have been met, facilitating the finalisation of the sale.
This transfer marks a significant shift for both clubs during the current window. For Real Madrid, it represents the successful monetisation of a squad member who has been on the periphery of the first-team plans. For Ajax, the acquisition of a player with experience in both the English Premier League and La Liga offers a strategic opportunity to bolster their midfield capabilities under the new management of Míchel.
While the deal is reported as being very close to finalisation, official confirmation from either club has not yet been issued. The situation remains subject to the standard procedures of professional football transfers, where medical examinations and personal terms are typically concluded before a formal announcement is made.
The potential move also highlights the ongoing dynamics of the European transfer market, where financial valuations and managerial preferences intersect. As clubs finalise deals for the summer, the Ceballos transfer to Ajax stands as a notable example of a player moving to a new environment after a stint at one of the world’s most prominent football institutions.
