Real Madrid are favourites to sign Real Betis star Dani Ceballos and could even pay more than his €15m (£13.3m) release clause, reports AS.
The European champions have been interested in signing Ceballos all summer and will now step up their interest in the midfielder following his dazzling form during the U21 European Championship with Spain.
Ceballos, 20, was the star of the show as Spain beat Italy 3-1 to advance to the final of the competition on Tuesday evening and Madrid want to secure the services of the highly rated midfielder and loan him back to Betis for the whole of next season.
Atletico Madrid were keen on signing the youngster last summer and are still interested in his services, although their FIFA-imposed transfer ban has only strengthened Madrid’s hand.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are willing to offer Ceballos a long-term deal to join this summer as Madrid look to secure some of Spain’s brightest talents, having already got Marcos Asensio, Jesus Vallejo and Borja Mayoral on their books.
Only Adama Traore (136) has completed more dribbles than Ceballos (132) of all Spaniards in Europe’s top five leagues in the last two seasons.
For more stats on Dani Ceballos, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
