Real Madrid set Dani Ceballos asking price after late transfer request

Real Madrid are sticking to their €20m (£16.8m) asking price for midfielder Dani Ceballos amid reports he has asked to leave the club.

Ceballos, who turned 28 in August, started just five La Liga games last season, most of which came in the final weeks of the campaign when Madrid's focus was on the Champions League knockout stages.

Toni Kroos' retirement and Madrid's decision not to replace him this summer left Ceballos hoping for a greater role this season but, after three La Liga games, the midfielder has seen just five minutes off the bench, while he was also brought on for the final seconds of the Super Cup victory over Atalanta.

According to MARCA, this has left Ceballos feeling frustrated and keen to rush through a move away from Madrid before Friday's transfer deadline.

Former employers Real Betis have expressed an interest after losing Nabil Fekir to Al Jazira, but they are reluctant to meet Madrid's demands of €20m.

Madrid have made it clear to Ceballos that they are sticking to that asking price, which is expected to end the midfielder's hopes of a move away.

Indeed, Madrid hope that their senior transfer business is already finished, with club officials now focused solely on sorting out a departure for Brazilian midfielder Reinier, who is expected to join Granada on loan.

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