LaLiga giants Real Madrid are reportedly open to the prospect of loaning out midfielder Dani Ceballos when the transfer window reopens in January.
Dani Ceballos, 25, returned to Real Madrid this summer after spending two years on loan with Arsenal, where he made 77 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and supplying five assists in the process.
However, he came back from the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with a complete tear in his anterior ankle ligaments which has seen him miss the entirety of pre-season and is likely to keep him out of action for months.
And with the summer acquisition of Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes, and the presence of pillars of strength in midfield in the form of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, Ceballos is unlikely to get a lot of opportunities under Carlo Ancelotti this season once he recovers from an ankle injury.
According to Spanish news outlet Defensa Central, in addition to a potential short-term loan deal, Real Madrid could include an obligatory purchase clause worth around €20 million to €25 million. That being said, here are three clubs that should look to make a move for the Spanish midfielder.
#1 Everton
Everton were interested in signing Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United on the deadline, but the Red Devils blocked the move. While a move for the Netherlands international didn’t materialise, the Toffees’ need for a new midfielder became apparent.
That being said, Rafael Benitez and Everton would do a good job by signing Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid in January. With Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ceballos could form a strong midfield unit at Goodison Park and help Benitez’s side control a lot of games.
Under the tutelage of the experienced Benitez, the Spanish midfielder is certain to improve as a player should he join the Toffees.
#3 Real Betis
As per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Real Betis are keen on re-signing Dani Ceballos and will launch a bid for their former player in the winter transfer window.
Ceballos emerged as a promising young talent with Real Betis that prompted Real to sign him in 2017. A move to Real hasn’t gone according to the plan for the midfielder, though, but he could revive his career by moving back to the club where it all started for him.
Andres Guardado and Victor Camarasa are among a few players whose contracts expire in the summer of 2022, and as the duo appear unlikely to renew their stay at Estadio Benito Villamarin, Betis will potentially have sizeable money in their coffers to splash next year.
Keeping that in mind, the Andalusian side should re-sign Ceballos from Real Madrid in January as he has the required tools to replace the ageing Guardado in the middle of the park.
#3 Liverpool
Liverpool lost Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer and failed to replace him, thereby, weakening Jürgen Klopp’s options in the middle of the park.
With James Milner in the twilight of his career, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injury prone and Jordan Henderson’s recent fitness concerns, the Reds could do with a new midfielder in January. To that end, Dani Ceballos would be a smart fit at Anfield.
Capable of playing in various positions across the midfield, Ceballos could inject some dynamism and energy to Liverpool’s engine room, and his previous Premier League experience with Arsenal should also help him settle down quickly.
