Qudus SalihuIn a move that has sent shockwaves through the Championship and beyond, Sunderland are reportedly preparing to shatter their transfer record to pull off a sensational “hijack” for Real Madrid maestro Dani Ceballos. As the January 2026 window reaches its peak, the Black Cats have signaled their intent to return to the summit of English football by launching an audacious bid for the three-time Champions League winner.
Ceballos, a player of “unmatched” technical elegance and vision, was widely believed to be heading for a high-profile return to La Liga or a move to a Premier League giant. However, Sunderland have reportedly stepped in with a “bombshell” proposal that would see them eclipse their previous transfer record—the £13.6 million paid for Didier Ndong in 2016—by a massive margin. The Spanish “genius” is said to be intrigued by the project at the Stadium of Light and the chance to become the talisman of a historic club’s resurgence.
The news has ignited a firestorm of excitement on Wearside. Following a period of tactical evolution under the current management, the addition of a world-class playmaker like Ceballos is being viewed as the ultimate statement of intent. The prospect of Ceballos dictating play in front of 40,000 passionate fans has supporters dreaming of a definitive return to the top flight.
”This isn’t just a signing; it’s a total shift in reality for the club,” a source close to the negotiations revealed. “To even be in the conversation for a Real Madrid superstar shows the scale of the ambition at Sunderland right now. The board is ready to shatter the glass ceiling to get this over the line.”
As the deadline looms, the footballing world is watching to see if the Wearside giants can finalize the “hijack of the decade.” If Sunderland can convince a player of Ceballos’ pedigree to join the journey, it won’t just break their transfer record—it will redefine the club’s status in the modern game.
Rabiu Aminu
