Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Dani Ceballos and James Rodriguez

Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos has reportedly advised Real Madrid he will join the club this summer.

According to Sergio Santos Chozas of AS, Los Blancos gave Ceballos a deadline to make a decision on his future, with Barcelona also interested in signing him. However, it's suggested he is on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu having said yes to Madrid.

"Barca's inability to secure Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti has seen them turn with increasing urgency to the 20-year-old, but Los Azulgranas look to have been beaten to the punch by their archrivals," it's reported.

Here's how the newspaper covered the story:

Chozas stated that, provided all goes to plan, Ceballos' switch "will be announced this weekend or on Monday."

Getting the midfielder in will be a big boost for Madrid, as he is one of the brightest rising stars in Spanish football.

Here's a glimpse at what he can offer:

Ceballos developed tremendously at Betis last season before he caught the eye on the big stage at this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship with some wonderful performances.

Per Squawka Football, the midfielder followed some illustrious names in winning the Player of the Tournament gong:

Ceballos has the technical ability and intelligence you'd expect from a Spain youth international. However, the Betis man has an edge to his game too, as he's willing to put himself about in physical battles, snaps into tackles and has a tendency for riling the opposition.

Should he move to Madrid, getting in the team ahead of players like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic would be a challenge. Still, it's noted Real have decided against loaning the player back to Betis, suggesting manager Zinedine Zidane believes Ceballos has something to offer his team.

Manchester United in James Rodriguez Talks

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According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Manchester United are in talks with Real Madrid over the signing of James Rodriguez.

Delaney stated the Red Devils are seeking to replace captain Wayne Rooney, who is poised to join Everton.

"While Mourinho has previously had reservations about signing James, he can see a role for him in attack," Delaney reported. "The player's marketability and commercial appeal would also fulfil [executive vice chairman Ed] Woodward's desire to bring in a 'star' every summer."

There's no doubt Rodriguez is a big name, but most pertinently, he's a talented footballer.

As these figures from OptaJose show, he's a difference-maker in the final third:

Sportswriter Liam Canning believes the Red Devils need a player with that type of instinct:

After a stellar debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu, it's surprising Rodriguez finds himself on the fringes of the Madrid first team.

The Colombian has fallen out of favour under Zidane, with the manager utilising a 4-3-3 setup in big games. Indeed, when the Frenchman rotated his options last term, the likes of Isco, Alvaro Morata and rising star Marco Asensio found themselves in the side ahead of Rodriguez.

He would benefit from a change of scenery, and becoming a key man at United could prompt the 25-year-old into kicking on.