Aston Villa’s transfer interest in Real Madrid ace Dani Ceballos is a rumour that won’t go away

Aston Villa are still keen on Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.

Reports from Spain claim Unai Emery retains an interest in the 27-year-old. That’s despite Ceballos inking a new contract with the Benrabéu outfit during the summer and Villa signing two new central midfielders during the recent transfer window - Youri Tielemans on a permanent deal from Leicester and Nicola Zaniola from Galatasaray on loan.

Villa were initially linked with a move for the Spanish international - alongside Madrid team-mate Marco Asensio - back in May and as he entered the final weeks of his contract.

A renewal was agreed until 2027, though, with Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotto reassuring Ceballos of greater playing time.

Yet, with the former Arsenal loanee behind the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde in the pecking order, doubts continue about his future.

That prompted reports of a 15m euro offer from Villa ahead of the recent summer transfer window deadline.

And it’s a topic that looks set to continue, with El Desmarque claiming Emery will continue to pursue a move ahead of the January transfer window, having worked with the player during his stint in charge of the Gunners.

Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara have started all four of Villa’s Premier League games to date as deep-lying midfielders.

John McGinn and Moussa Diaby have often been deployed in more advanced roles - but Ceballos would be seen as an additional tool, alongside Zaniola, to unlock defences.

Italian international Zaniola has two Villa substitute appearances under his belt following his move to the Premier League last month.

Tielemans has made four substitute outings following his free transfer move from Leicester - game time that has frustrated the Belgian international.

Ceballos is expected to be named in the Real Madrid squad for their league game against Real Sociedad following a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season.