Dani Ceballos is no longer a priority target for former club Real Betis, with Los Verdiblancos reportedly considering a move for ex-Real Madrid midfielder Isco.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Isco has become the priority target for Real Betis to bolster their midfield unit in the summer transfer window. The Andalusian giants have set their sights away from Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, who remains a target, albeit only as a contingency option if Isco does not arrive at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.
Isco has officially ended his nine-year spell with Real Madrid, where he won numerous trophies, including five UEFA Champions League triumphs. But with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, the Spaniard spent nearly half of his stint with Los Blancos as a backup midfield option.
The 30-year-old turned out 353 times for the Merengues while chipping in with 53 goals and 56 assists. But with his time at Real Madrid over, the Spanish international is looking for a club where he can resurrect his stuttering career and stake a claim to be on the flight to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year. And his next destination could be Real Betis.
The interest from Real Betis stems from the advancing years of Andres Guardado, with the veteran Mexican international in the twilight of his storied career. In addition, William Carvalho will likely depart from the Benito Villamarin Stadium in the summer transfer window amid links with clubs from England and Turkey.
Real Betis will thus need to invest in a top-class central midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Isco emerging as a viable target. But Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos seemed to be Los Verdiblancos’ priority target for a long time, with the Spaniard recently opting to return to his former club instead of staying at the Santiago Bernabeu.
All signs seemed to be pointing towards Ceballos’s return to the Benito Villamarin Stadium, but things have changed rapidly. The Andalusian giants are now prioritising a move for Isco, although they will need to fend off stiff competition from local rivals Sevilla.
As for Ceballos, the Spaniard is now in limbo, with his future up in the air. He does not have a shortage of suitors, but he might not get his preferred move to his former club this summer. It will be interesting to see where he ends up if he leaves Real Madrid in the ongoing transfer window.