The recently concluded UEFA European under-21 Championship threw up a lot of stars in the making, Dani Ceballos being at the forefront among them bagging the Player of the Tournament award, courtesy a series of fine displays.
Resultantly, he has put the Spanish giants on notice with Barcelona and Real Madrid in a tug of war for the signature of the player. Real Madrid have reportedly stolen a march on their bitter rivals, thanks to the player’s preference of Los Blancos.
The Real Betis starlet who has a release clause of €15 million could prove to be a steal for the club who end up signing him. He has reportedly agreed to join the Bernabeu outfit, provided they don’t send him out on loan in the next season and sell the Madrid duo of James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata freeing up space for him in the already cluttered Madrid midfield.
The player, set to take a final call on his future in two weeks, has a special place in his heart for the Los Merengues. Madrid sources are confident they can convince the player in putting pen to paper. Despite his tender years, the midfielder has already made over 60 appearances for Real Betis.
Exceptionally good with the ball at his feet, the sight of Ceballos making short work of defences with nimble footwork has become commonplace.
The Spaniard touted to be the successor of Andres Iniesta has courted a lot of interest from the Camp Nou outfit as well. With Iniesta set to retire, probably by next year, it is perhaps a case of expecting too much too soon from the player, all of 20 years of age; but after his recent showing at the under-21 tourney, not many would bet against him.
Born in Utrera, Province of Seville, Ceballos joined Sevilla FC’s youth system in 2004 at the age of 8. The player’s career was shrouded in uncertainty when he contracted a chronic bronchitis problem and was let go of in 2009.
Continuing his development having signed with Betis in 2011, the player signed a professional contract with them in February 2014. Since then, the demand for the player has skyrocketed and if he maintains this growth trajectory, he could be one to watch out for in the coming years.
Not just one to flaunt his superlative dribbling abilities, the 20-year-old is technically solid and doesn’t think twice before tracking back. Albeit not being an imposing presence in midfield, he makes up for it with well-timed tackles. Ceballos has a good vision which aides him in ball distribution as well as making timely interceptions.
With the player set to join the Galacticos, he would go on to bolster an already fearsome Real Madrid side.