Aston Villa remains linked with a move for Dani Ceballos, who could move out of Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.
According to Marca via Sport Witness, Dani Ceballos is a summer target for Aston Villa. The Real Madrid ace’s contract expires in the summer, but it’s unclear whether he would prefer a return to the Premier League.
Dani Ceballos has had a strange career at Real Madrid, where he seems like a bit-part player but is still highly rated by the club. The 26-year-old Spaniard has made 21 appearances across all competitions but has yet to stand a chance to replace some of the more experienced stars in midfield.
Reports emerged that Real Madrid wanted to keep him on and extend his contract beyond its current expiry in the summer. So far, nothing has materialised, and Ceballos is on course to leave the club as a free agent in the summer.
Madrid will reportedly offer him a contract late in the season. In a case similar to fellow teammate Marco Asensio, the club will analyse their situation and possibly decide on a new offer around late March or April. They do run the risk of allowing other clubs to swoop in before that period and take their players away.
The Real Madrid ace reportedly entertained approaches from clubs during the January window. Reports suggested Ceballos even rejected an offer from a Premier League side.
The Premier League side might have been Aston Villa, who wanted to sign a midfielder in January. Unai Emery wanted a good player in the position and may have had Ceballos on his shortlist, including Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Marseille’s Matteo Guendouzi.
Villa were on the trails of Guendouzi but may have seen an offer rejected by Marseille during the window. Like the Frenchman, Emery has trained Ceballos at Arsenal, where he spent around 4-5 months under the Spanish tactician.
The story insists Villa retains an interest in the midfielder, who may have alternatively enquired with his representatives over a free transfer in the summer. The suggestion is that Ceballos was uninterested in returning to the Premier League in January and wanted to remain in Spain.
Whether that extends to the summer window remains the question. He will continue performing at his best for Real Madrid and hopes to impress them enough to secure a new contract. If the club lets him leave after six years, Villa could make their interest known and acquire the Spaniard on a free transfer.
