Aside from Neymar, Dani Ceballos is probably the footballer who has been the subject of most Spanish transfer stories for the past week.
The Real Madrid player is repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League, and the clubs thought to be interested are Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Ceballos’ success at the Euro U21 tournament led many in Spain to wonder why Zinedine Zidane doesn’t rate him enough. Indeed, it’s been suggested on more than one occasion that if he’d not already been owned by Madrid they’d have tried to sign him.
The 22 year old wants regular games next season, making it clear he’s keen to play 40 matches in a single campaign.
Madrid and the player don’t want to part ways permanently so there’s been talk of a loan or a sale with a buyback clause.
AS published an article at 9.49am with the following headline: ‘Pochettino has almost convinced Ceballos’
The Spanish newspaper claims Tottenham ‘looks like it will finally be Ceballos’ destination this summer’.
Despite that, there doesn’t appear to be a lot of action. Mauricio Pochettino’s chat with the player is covered, with the manager explaining the importance Ceballos would have at Spurs.
That conversation is said to have tipped the balance in favour of the London club, but it was ‘a few weeks’ ago, and AS’ reasoning for pushing the ‘likely destination’ story now is unclear.