Real Madrid outcast Dani Ceballos has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Serie A champions Inter Milan for the summer transfer window of 2022.
According to a report from Transfer Market Web, Inter Milan have registered an interest in securing the signing of out-of-favour Real Madrid star Dani Ceballos in the summer of next year.
Ceballos came through the youth ranks of Spanish club Real Betis, where he grew into a first-team regular before Real Madrid swooped him away in 2017. However, the 25-year-old could not nail down a regular berth in the lineup at the Santiago Bernabeu, and after two seasons on the fringes, he left the club on loan for Arsenal.
Ceballos spent back-to-back campaigns with the Gunners on loan, and while he did not exactly stand out, the Spanish international was able to get some regular game-time at the Emirates. He made 77 appearances for Arsenal across his two-year stint, whereas he has managed only 56 for Real Madrid so far.
Upon returning to the Bernabeu in the summer, Ceballos had been linked with an exit away. But a move did not materialise, and he ended up staying, although he is yet to play a single game this season as he has been struggling with an ankle injury. Nonetheless, his future at the club is far from certain, with Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde all ahead of him in the pecking order.
There has not been any shortage of suitors for the 25-year-old, with AS Roma showing a keen interest, while there have been reports of Juventus wanting to sign him as well. Now another Serie A giant, in the form of Inter Milan, have entered the race for the signing of the Real Madrid outcast.
Inter Milan are staring at the prospect of losing Marcelo Brozovic either in January or at the end of the season, with the Croatian international’s contract set to expire. He has been linked with a host of top clubs across Europe, and his potential departure would leave a gaping hole in their midfield department.
Add to it, Christian Eriksen is also set to leave the club, Stefano Sensi and Matias Vecino have struggled with injuries, and Arturo Vidal is not getting any younger. So, bringing in a new central midfielder makes sense for the Nerazzurri. Given their financial plight, they need to look at cost-effective options, and with Ceballos’ contract running out in 2023, he would be available for a bargain price in the summer of 2022.
It remains to be seen whether the reigning champions of Italy act upon their interest in the Real Madrid star or get beaten to the punch by a different club.