Milan’s hopes of landing out-of-favor Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos have suffered a massive blow in the wake of the player’s latest statement. During an interview with Spanish outlet AS, the Spanish playmaker revealed his intention to stay and fight for a place in the starting XI at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ceballos spent the last two seasons on loan at Arsenal. However, following a phenomenal breakthrough Premier League campaign, the 24-year-old tumbled down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium last season and decided to cut short his spell in London this summer.
Even though he returned to Madrid in high spirits, the Spaniard’s future in the Spanish capital is hanging by a thread. Ceballos is keen to defy the odds and fight his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up, as confirmed by the player himself.
“I really want to win at Real Madrid, I’ll fight to stay here. The experience with Arsenal in the Premier League made me stronger. Now it’s time to win at Real Madrid,” he told AS quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Ceballos has emerged as a transfer target for Milan, who are looking to replace departed Hakan Calhanoglu. The Spaniard was linked with a move to the San Siro before joining Arsenal. His name has now returned to fashion in the wake of Calhanoglu’s departure for Inter.
Milan and Real Madrid have been in talks over another loan deal for Brahim Diaz, and Ceballos’ name has been brought to the table by Paolo Maldini. The Rossoneri need to hire a new playmaker to fill the vacancy, and the Spanish midfielder ticks many of the boxes for the type of player Maldini wants to recruit.
But it looks like the Serie A heavyweights will have to switch their attention elsewhere.