Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Atletico Madrid.
Ceballos is currently in his seventh campaign contracted to Los Blancos, with a total of 141 appearances having been made in all competitions.
However, the Spain international finds himself considerably down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti, being restricted to just 227 minutes of La Liga football all season.
Just one of his 14 league outings have come from the starting lineup, while he has been provided with just three brief substitute outings since the beginning of February.
While it is plausible that Real and Ancelotti may prefer to retain Ceballos's services as a backup option, they also face a scenario where he has three years left on his contract and stand the best chance of recouping the £15.5m that they shelled out in 2017.
© Reuters
Atletico show interest in summer deal
According to Cadena Ser, Atletico hold an interest in securing Ceballos's signature during the next transfer window.
Diego Simeone's side have dropped off the pace in La Liga this campaign, with the current gap to leaders Real in the standings being 17 points.
The Argentine is not short of central midfield options, but there is a feeling that the engine room requires freshening up with at least one fresh face prior to next season.
That cause will eventually be helped through Arthur Vermeeren - their high-profile January addition - yet the young Belgian has currently been restricted to just 83 minutes in Spain's top flight since his arrival.
In theory, that appears to indicate that Simeone is not ready to pull the trigger on using the prospect on a regular basis, potentially leaving Atletico to assess more experienced options.
Who else is interested in Ceballos?
© Reuters
A report last week claimed that Newcastle United were interested in handing the 27-year-old an opportunity to return to the Premier League.
The English club have sometimes been stretched in midfield areas this campaign, a consequence of Sandro Tonali's suspension for breaching gambling regulations and a long-term injury to Joelinton.
Nevertheless, the Magpies may have since moved further down the queue courtesy of long-term knee injuries suffered by central-defensive pairing Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.
Real Betis - Ceballos's former club - are also said to be admirers of the player and are interested in securing a reunion if it proves financially possible.
Ceballos has only ever spent time in his homeland or England, with his previous stint in the Premier League coming when he was loaned out to Arsenal between 2019 and 2021.
Darren Plant
