MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 19: Dani Ceballos and David Alaba of Real Madrid interact during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and UD Las Palmas at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid are one of the few top European clubs who have not directly sold players to the cash-rich Saudi Arabian League so far.
While Karim Benzema and Nacho Fernandez moved to the Saudi Pro League from Real Madrid, they did so as free agents after the expiry of their contracts at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, clubs from Saudi continue to show interest in players at Real Madrid. Vinicius Jr. continues to be very much on their radars for the future, but two more stars have now emerged as possible targets.
Saudi Arabia eye David Alaba, Dani Ceballos
Indeed, according to MARCA, Real Madrid fringe duo David Alaba and Dani Ceballos have popped up as subjects of interest for clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Both players have been on the Middle Eastern nation’s radar before, but previously paid little attention to the approaches.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: David Alaba of Real Madrid interacts with Dani Ceballos as he leaves the field whilst being substituted during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Salzburg at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Alaba, Ceballos on Saudi Arabia’s radar. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
However, they have attracted attention once again, though neither has yet received an official offer from Saudi.
But, as per the report, Saudi Arabia is not the preferred destination for either Alaba or Ceballos this summer.
Alaba is determined to see out the final year of his contract at Real Madrid and has shown no indication of changing his mind despite the prospect of minimal game-time.
Fully recovered from the injury sustained in the build-up to the FIFA Club World Cup, he even featured in the training match against Leganes on Friday.
Ceballos, meanwhile, appears only willing to leave Real Madrid for his former club Real Betis. The midfielder, who turned 29 recently, finds himself well down the pecking order.
However, he is unlikely to make a final decision until the closing days of the transfer window, once the season has begun.
DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 04: Pedri of FC Barcelona in action during the pre-season friendly between FC Barcelona and Daegu FC at Daegu Stadium on August 04, 2025 in Daegu, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 04: Pedri of FC Barcelona in action during the pre-season friendly between FC Barcelona and Daegu FC at Daegu Stadium on August 04, 2025 in Daegu, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 11: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Jude Bellingham during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Pedri was full of praise for Mbappe and Bellingham. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)