Marseille confirm Dani Ceballos 'doubts' killed transfer hopes as French side didn't want saga with Real Madrid midfielder to 'drag on'

Marseille have confirmed that they ended talks to sign Ceballos after the Los Blancos midfielder expressed uncertainty about the move. President Longoria revealed that once “doubts” emerged on the player's side, the club decided against dragging out the negotiations. The two clubs had been close to reaching an agreement for a transfer worth around €15 million (£13m/$16m), but the Spaniard's hesitation convinced Marseille to walk away. 

After finishing second in Ligue 1 under Roberto De Zerbi, they return to the Champions League and face some tough fixtures including Real Madrid, Liverpool and Atalanta. The collapsed Ceballos deal suggests OM will now pivot toward alternative midfield targets as they aim to build a competitive squad for Europe.

Speaking to El Larguero, Marseille president said: "Market circumstances can vary significantly, and the most surprising thing is that when situations are unclear or there are doubts, it's better to communicate them in time and not drag them out until the end."

With the Ceballos transfer shelved, Marseille are expected to turn their focus to other midfield reinforcements ahead of their Champions League campaign. Longoria has stressed the need for consistency in Europe, and the club are likely to target players more eager to commit to their project.