10:42h CEST

Dani Ceballos is close to securing a move to Real Madrid. As reported by AS on 24 May, the Real Betis midfielder has become a priority for Los Blancos. Following his sumptuous performances for the Spain Under 21 side in the European Championships, contact has intensified and an agreement is close.

Ceballos would continue at Betis

Real Madrid’s intention is to sign Ceballos this summer and loan him back to Betis for the 2017/18 LaLiga season. His exploits in a Spain shirt this summer may tempt Madrid to bring Ceballos in to the first team squad immediately. Ceballos caught the eye as La Rojita beat Italy to progress to the final in Poland on Tuesday. Those at the Bernabéu will analyse the situation in detail to ensure that they do not slow down the player’s development.

Ceballos would welcome the opportunity to continue his development at the Villamarín for another year, particularly as Betis look likely to form a competitive team ahead of the coming season. Los Verdiblancos are very close to signing Víctor Camarasa, who excelled at Alavés last season, on loan from Levante. The club will aim towards more high-calibre signings to leave Ceballos in no doubt that a return to Betis on loan would be beneficial.

Full screen Dani Ceballos on the verge of signing for Real Madrid MIGUEL MORENATTI (DIARIO AS)

Madrid could pay more than €15m clause

The relationship between Real Madrid and Betis is smooth, and both parties will work towards a mutually-beneficial agreement. Ceballos has a release clause of €15m, but Madrid could pay more. This would give Madrid an advantage over Atlético, who were close to signing Ceballos last summer, and who remain keen on his signature.

Madrid are willing to offer Ceballos a long-term contract (five or six years), in order to tie down another jewel from the insatiable Spain Under 21 team. Asensio, Mayoral, Llorente, and Vallejo form the current Madrid contingent. The signing of Ceballos would also fit neatly within Madrid’s broader approach of targeting the best young talent from across the world, with Vinicius and Theo Hernández recent evidence of that tactic.

Full screen Dani Ceballos on the verge of signing for Real Madrid MIGUEL MORENATTI (DIARIO AS)

Betis bow at the age of 17

Ceballos made his debut for Betis in a match against Real Sociedad in April 2014, at the tender age of 17. Yet it was in the 2015-16 season that he established himself as a first-team regular, making 31 appearances.

He endured a frustrating start to the 2016/17 season, playing just 202 minutes in 11 matches under Uruguayan coach Gus Poyet. The arrival in November of Víctor Sánchez in the Betis dugout was the break Ceballos needed, and he went on to become a solitary spark in a dour Betis side.