Real Madrid are reportedly poised to make Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos their first summer signing in a €15 million deal.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Dani Ceballos is set to become the first signing of the summer transfer window for Real Madrid, with Los Blancos landing the Real Betis midfielder in a €15 million deal.
Ceballos was released by boyhood club Sevilla in 2009 due to a chronic bronchitis problem. But the player has found his calling at Real Betis, where he rapidly progressed through the ranks in the club’s youth setup before making his senior debut in 2014.
Since then, Ceballos has gone from strength to strength, having established himself as a mainstay in midfield for Los Verdiblancos while also becoming a full-fledged member of the Spain under-21 squad.
And 2016/17 was the most fruitful season of his senior career, as he was ever present at the centre of the park for Betis, keeping things tight in the middle while also chipping in with two goals and as many assists. His exploits have now seen him attract interest from one of the biggest clubs in the world – Real Madrid.
In fact, Real Madrid have been eyeing Ceballos for a long time now, and they had even struck a deal for him two summers ago before the move failed to materialise. Los Blancos, though, have now renewed their interest in the 20-year-old, and are set to make him their first summer signing.
Real Madrid are set to pay €15 million for the player’s services, an amount that will trigger his release clause, meaning Betis are resigned to losing one of the most promising players in Spain this summer.
With Luka Modric on the wrong side of 30, and with the likes of James Rodriguez and Mateo Kovacic heavily linked with a summer move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, Ceballos could be a valuable addition in Zinedine Zidane’s squad.
And at 20, with his best years well ahead of him, the player could become a long-term solution for Real Madrid. Widespread reports have claimed that Ceballos is likely to be loaned out initially to gain first team experience elsewhere, just like Marcos Llorente has this season.
The signing, though, is set to be announced at the culmination of the European under-21 championship, where Ceballos will represent Spain, making him the latest in the long line of youngsters who Zinedine Zidane will take under his wings at the Bernabeu.
