Barcelona Transfer News: Dani Ceballos Reportedly Eyed Amid Real Madrid Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly hopeful of dashing in front of rivals Real Madrid to seal a summer move for Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos after it looked likely the playmaker would join Los Blancos. 

Ceballos has starred as one of Spain's top performers en route to the final of the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and Spanish daily Marca reported Barca are now keen on his signature (h/t Sport).

It's said the Blaugrana don't want to lose to their fiercest foes in another transfer battle after missing out on Marco Asensio and Theo Hernandez, with Ceballas thought to be available for as little as €9 million (£7.9 million).

Ceballos has been closely linked with a move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in recent transfer windows and penned a new contract with Betis in October 2015 following a summer of speculation over his future that year. 

His dazzling displays in Poland this month have brought Barcelona back into the frame, but Ceballos recently dismissed any speculation and insisted his future will be decided after the Under-21 European Championship. Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS (h/t Football Espana), he said:

“I feel relaxed about the reports. My aim is to beat Germany, and when the tournament is over, I'll sit down with my agents and we'll look at the offers on the table."

“Right now, my future is with Betis. I have three years left on my contract, and I'm relaxed."

“At the end of the day, if the big clubs are interested in you, it's because you're doing well. It's really nice to be talked about in that way.”

It seems no coincidence talk of Barca's heightened interest in the player comes after he helped lead Spain to a 3-1 hammering of 10-man Italy in the European semi-finals, earning praise from FourFourTwo's Kristan Heneage:

The Blaugrana could also have it in mind that Ceballos could be crafted into Andres Iniesta's eventual successor, although Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti is thought to be a primary target, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella.

The 20-year-old completed his youth development at Betis after joining the club in 2011 and has since established his spot as one of the team's senior stars, contributing to a balanced 2016-17 season, per Squawka:

That consistency in first-team minutes has lent itself well to Ceballos blossoming among Spain's top flight as a top talent, although maintaining that first-team role is likely to be a priority in his immediate future.

Some may feel those starting XI hopes would be better served at the Camp Nou rather than the Bernabeu, backed up by Marca's suggestion Barca may offer him first-team chances right away, while Real would loan him back to Betis for a year.

Ceballos may have already suggested where his heart lies after Marca posted past tweets of Ceballos' criticising some Barca players, while Sport reported he had deleted old posts praising the Catalans—something that wouldn't go down well in Madrid.