Mourinho, facing the “Real” player. I don’t want you.

Dani Ceballos is once again posing a problem for Real Madrid, as he has been for the last few seasons, as the 29-year-old Andalusian midfielder’s departure has become a priority for the Royals, who are scouring the transfer market to bolster their midfield with experienced players, after Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho bluntly informed him that he is not in the plans for next season.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Ceballos, who has a year left on his contract at Real Madrid, wanted to know what role he would play under Mourinho and spoke to the Portuguese coach, who made it clear he was not part of his plans, prompting him to ask for the remainder of his contract and a free transfer.

Real Madrid have agreed to a request from the player, who turns 30 next August, to free up a roster spot and a total salary of €10 million a year (excluding bonuses), in a move aimed at speeding up his departure and making way for a new midfielder.

However, Ceballos, despite his agreement with the club, has yet to sign a release and will not do so until he finds a new team that will match or exceed his current salary at Real, a major obstacle to his departure as he hopes to sign one last big contract with the highest bidder.

His high salary is a stumbling block for clubs such as Real Betis, who have made no secret of their desire to reinstate their prodigy despite lacking the financial resources to maintain his current salary, a repeat of last summer’s scenario when Real’s deal with French side Lyon fell through at the last minute.

Ceballos is now spending the holidays waiting for his agents to come up with a satisfactory offer, and he will have to either reduce his financial demands or not return to Real Madrid, given Mourinho’s adamant rejection of the squad.

Adding to Ceballos’ crisis is his physical frailty, manifested by recurring muscle injuries that have reduced his participation, making him a marginal player who has barely featured under any of the coaches who have taken over the team in recent seasons.

Notably, Real Madrid need Ceballos to make room for a new player and pay his wages, given the Financial Fair Play restrictions in the Spanish league, making the Andalusian midfielder’s departure an urgent need for Real before the end of the current summer transfer window.