Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is the latest Blancos player to attract interest from the Saudi Pro League, according to a report.
Carlo Ancelotti's European champions have seen star winger Vinicius Junior repeatedly linked with a switch to the Middle East, whose financial powerhouses could try to tempt him away from Madrid with a mammoth financial package.
A recent report claimed that the Brazil international could be in line for an astronomical £830m five-year contract in Saudi Arabia, although the player himself is keen to remain at the Bernabeu.
While Vinicius is one of Real Madrid's 'Galacticos' and is one of the first names on the teamsheet when fully fit, the same cannot be said of Ceballos, whose time in the Spanish capital may be nearing an end.
According to Defensa Central, Saudi Pro League clubs have now set their eye on the former Arsenal loanee, who has not quite hit the heights of the likes of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric at Real.
Real Madrid 'very happy' with Ceballos amid Saudi links
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Ceballos has featured on 28 occasions for the Champions League holders this year, setting up two goals, starting four games in the Champions League and 10 in La Liga.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard has started to force his way into the first XI more often in recent weeks, featuring from the first whistle in six straight top-flight games from December 22 to February 8.
Ceballos also started both legs of Real Madrid's Champions League playoff semi-final win over Manchester City, and his contract runs until 2027, having signed an extension in the summer of 2023.
The report adds that Real Madrid have been 'very happy' with the work that Ceballos has done in recent weeks, and there is the hope that he could become better than ever as he approaches his 30s.
Furthermore, the 28-year-old is also not believed to be considering leaving the Spanish giants at this moment in time, and he is only focused on fulfilling his contract at the Bernabeu.
How much could Real receive for Ceballos sale?
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However, if the Saudi Pro League do decide to firm up their interest in the midfielder, clubs in the Middle East would apparently be prepared to fork out €30m (£24.8m) to capture him.
Whether such a package will be enough to tempt Los Blancos remains to be seen, but Ancelotti's team must also plan for life without Modric, who turns 40 this year and is out of contract this summer.
Ceballos has registered seven goals and 16 assists in 176 appearances for Real Madrid, who signed the Spaniard from Real Betis for a modest €16.5m (£13.6m) fee in the summer of 2017.
The 28-year-old also spent two seasons on loan at Arsenal from 2019 to 2021, playing a key part in the Gunners' FA Cup triumph in the former campaign but struggling to maintain that form the following season.
Ben Knapton
