Tottenham Hotspur are now in ‘very advanced’ negotiations to sign Dani Ceballosfrom Real Madrid, according to the Spanish press.
Spurs have already shattered their all-time transfer record by signing Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon for £55m this summer, but Mauricio Pochettino is determined to recruit at least one more midfielder as he overhauls his ageing squad.
And, according to Estadio Deportivo, the club are now closing on a deal for Ceballos.
The 22-year-old shone for Spain at the European Under-21 Championship in Italy and reports earlier in the summer suggested he would be available to buy from £44m.
But the Spanish news outlet suggests Spurs are in “very advanced” negotiations to first sign the player on loan, with an option to buy included for the end of next season.
In an interview with Marca, the Spaniard previously confirmed he would be open to a move away from the Santiago Bernabéu this summer.
“I imagine Zidane will have seen it, but he has very clear ideas and we all know his thoughts,” he said. “Now it's time to rest well, to disconnect after the season and in the next few weeks we'll think about the future.
“The most important thing in life is to be happy and that can only happen by playing 40 games a year. My personal goal for next season is to play 40 games and to be comfortable at all times. Wherever it is doesn't matter, but it has to be a place where I can feel valued.
“At the moment I have no preferred choice. What I know is that I want to enjoy next year and that I'm open to new challenges. I'd like to try new things.”
However, talks over Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso have stalled, according to Sky Sports News.
The 23-year-old Argentina international is one of Pochettino’s top targets this summer and is seen as a ready-made replacement for Christian Eriksen, should the Dane depart for the bright lights of Real Madrid.
But Betis are holding firm over their £70m valuation of Lo Celso, who last season scored 16 goals and registered six assistant in 46 matches for the club.
That’s more than Tottenham are currently prepared to spend, with the club needed to sell some deadwood before they can finance another huge move.
Spurs are also keen on signing Roma wonderkid Nicolo Zaniolo and could be willing to throw Toby Alderweireldin to get him.
The Italians are keen to sign a centre-back after selling Kostas Manolas to Napoli and Spurs are ready to bid £16m plus Alderweireld for the 20-year-old.
Alderweireld has a £25m release clause in his contract and bitter rivals Arsenal are considering swooping in for the Belgian defender, according to The Daily Star.
Juventus are also keen on Zaniolo, but Roma would prefer to sell abroad given their hostility between the clubs.
Spain U21 international Dani Olmo has also emerged as a target for Pochettino’s side. Olmo currently plays in Croatia with Dynamo Zagreb and would cost £22m, according to Mucho Deporte.
Olmo is also being targeted by Manchester United, however, Spurs reportedly already have an agreement with the player’s agent.
The Daily Mail report that Fulham full-back Ryan Sessegnon remains a target. Sessegnon, who Spurs value at around £30m, could swap west for north London in a deal which could include his twin brother Steven.
The Mail has also reported that the club are continuing to keep tabs on Norwich’s Max Aarons.
Spurs are also ready to challenge Manchester City for Bournemouth’s centre-half Nathan Ake, according to L’Equipe.
The champions are keen on the Dutch international but Spurs could join the chase too. The Cherries want upwards of £40m for the former Chelsea man.
Tottenham's transfer latest
PLAYERS IN:
Kion Etete, Notts County, Undisclosed
Jack Clarke, Leeds United, £10m
Tanguy Ndombele, Lyon, £55m
PLAYERS OUT:
Michel Vorm, Released
Dylan Duncan, Released
Charlie Freeman, Released
Tom Glover, Released
Connor Ogilvie, Gillingham, Free
Jami Reynolds, Free
