Contact made for €20m Real Madrid midfielder open to move

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As was also the case last summer, the finances place a move to Betis in serious doubt. Los Verdiblancos would be open to a loan move, but Real Madrid are very much of the mind that if Ceballos is to leave, then it will be on a permanent deal. Their asking price is €20m, and on top of that, Betis would have to find a way of fitting his salary into their wage bill.

Ceballos, 28, has two years left on his deal, and still harbours hopes of playing for Spain in the World Cup, for which regular football would be a necessity. Alonso seems keen to bring in a midfielder this summer, but if nobody does arrive, then the Basque manager may be in a similar situation to Ancelotti this year. Real Madrid were forced to call on Ceballos in some crucial games, and the squad reportedly want him to stay at the club for his handling of pressure.