According to a report from Fabrizio RomanoOlympique de Marseille’s attempted move for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has hit a brick wall, after the Phocéen club deemed Real’s €15m valuation of the Spaniard as too high.

The Olympians are therefore yet to reach an agreement with the Spanish side over a potential loan-to-buy deal, after talks had begun over the weekend. Marseille were looking for another midfielder after placing Adrien Rabiot on the club’s transfer list following a dressing room bust-up with England U21 international Jonathan Rowe. Even this exclusion may not be the end of the saga, with Roberto De Zerbi showing some clemence following a 5-2 win over Paris FC last weekend – and a desire to “reach out to everyone. If I can help resolve this matter, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes.”

But in the meantime, Marseille are still looking to replace the Frenchman. Romano now reports that the club are looking to approach Benfica for another loan-to-buy move for Florentino Luis (26).

Tezz | George Boxall