Dani Ceballos has reportedly told Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa not to contact him following an explosive row at the club’s training ground.
According to Marca, the former Arsenal midfielder had requested a meeting with Arbeloa last week having not featured since returning from injury at the start of April.
The report claims Ceballos and Arbeloa had an ‘unpleasant face-to-face meeting’ with tensions having already existed between the pair after a previous disagreement.
Following the meeting, Ceballos was said to have informed team-mates that he had requested Arbeloa does not contact him again.
Ceballos was then left out of Real Madrid’s matchday squad to face Real Betis last Friday, where Arbeloa’s side conceded a stoppage equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
The result saw Real Madrid drop further points to title rivals Barcelona, who moved closer to being crowned Spanish champions for a second straight year by beating Getafe the following day.
Dani Ceballos has reportedly told Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa not to contact him
Arbeloa, top right, had reportedly clashed with Ceballos in a meeting at the training ground last week
Ceballos reportedly informed his team-mates of his position following the meeting
Ceballos is expected to continue to train with his Real Madrid team-mates until the end of the season, but will not feature in their matchday squad for their final five league matches of the campaign.
Real Madrid reportedly believe Ceballos had attempted to deliberately create the conflict with Arbeloa in order to justify his lack of playing time, before seeking a move at the end of the season.
Ceballos has one year remaining on his Real Madrid contract.
The midfielder had turned down a move to Marseille last summer amid interest from Real Betis.
Betis are viewed as a likely destination again this summer, with the 29-year-old having begun his professional career with the club before moving to Real Madrid in 2017.
The explosive dispute comes amid the growing expectation that Arbeloa will be replaced as Real Madrid manager at the end of the season.
Arbeloa has overseen 23 matches since being promoted from his role as manager of their B-team, following Xabi Alonso’s sacking in January.
Real Madrid have won 14 matches, drawn two and suffered seven defeats under Arbeloa, with the club having fallen off the pace in the league and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich.
Ceballos, who is reported to have had a previous clash with Arbeloa, is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer
Reports emerged this week that Jose Mourinho, right, is Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s preferred choice to replace Arbeloa
The Spanish giants are now set to finish without silverware for a second successive season.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Jose Mourinho is Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s preferred choice to replace Arbeloa.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, leading the club to one LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
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The 63-year-old is currently in charge of Benfica, having returned to the Portuguese giants after 25 years back in September.
Benfica are unbeaten in the league since Mourinho’s return, but his side are seven points adrift of leaders Porto.
Reports have claimed Real Madrid would have to pay £2.6million to activate a release clause in Mourinho’s Benfica contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.
Daily Mail Sport understands Benfica are yet to have any contact from Real Madrid over an approach for Mourinho – but that he would be keen on a return.
However, the club are understood to be wary of a negative reaction from fans should he take charge again, not least after the fallout from the sides’ Champions League clash in February.
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