Dani Ceballos could earn new Real Madrid contract after sudden reprieve

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos could be in line for a new contract at the Bernabeu after impressing coach Carlo Ancelotti in recent weeks.

Having been on the fringes since returning from injury in December, which followed two years on loan at Arsenal, Ceballos made his first start of the season in any competition when Real beat Osasuna in La Liga at the weekend.

The 25-year-old, who joined Los Blancos to much fanfare from Real Betis in 2017, was also called upon from the bench for the closing stages of Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

Ceballos looked destined for a summer exit, but AS journalist Sergio Santos has suggested the situation has ‘taken a radical turn’. It is said that Ancelotti has always admired the player but has now had opportunity to put him in games and will keep those chances coming.

Ceballos’ professionalism during his lengthy spell on the sidelines has also been praised and is no longer believed to be considered ‘transferable’ during the summer. He is now increasingly expected to have a place in the squad next season and could land a new contract rather than head for the exit door.

The Spaniard’s current contract is due to expire at the end of next season, which gives him time to suitably impress and earn a new one.

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