Tottenham want Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos
AS has learned that Dani Ceballos is a prime target of Spurs coach Pochettino. Such a move could help to unlock Eriksen's move to Real Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino wants Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos at Tottenham next season, according to what AS has learned.
After making no new signings last summer, the London club aims to strengthen its squad for next season and Ceballos is one of the prime targets for Pochettino.
The Argentine coach could view the 22-year-old as a fitting replacement for Christian Eriksen, who has yet to extend his contract beyond 2020 and has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid.
Ceballos wants Madrid exit
By his part, Ceballos has decided he wants to leave Madrid following the return of Zinedine Zidane. The French coach does not see the midfielder as part of his plans, and the player himself is not willing to sit on the bench for a third consecutive season.
Ceballos wants to be part of a project in which he has an important role and, therefore, Tottenham may be one of the best placed to convince him. Pochettino has been following him for a while now and would assure him that he would play a key part in his new project at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Ceballos could unlock Eriksen move to Madrid
Any move by Spurs for Ceballos may help to unlock Eriksen’s switch to Madrid. The Danish striker would look favourably upon a move to the Bernabéu, and Spurs may be more willing to let him go should they be able to secure Ceballos as his replacement.
At the moment Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is not willing to lower his price on Eriksen. But if the Dane does not renew his contract, Levy would be forced to start listening to offers.
In any case, the future of Ceballos has a key date: June 15, which is the day he begins the U-21 European Championship campaign with Spain and right now he has several proposals on the table.
If no proposal has convinced him before that date, he will wait until after the tournament to make a final decision, so as to have no distractions during the upcoming weeks with the national team.