Real Madrid midfielder’s renewal now ‘closer than ever’

As Real Madrid travel downtown to face Girona on Tuesday, Carlo Ancelotti has a long list of absentees.

Most of the players excluded miss the game through fitness struggles but Dani Ceballos sits out owing to suspension.

The Spanish midfielder was far from prominent under Ancelotti in the initial months of the season.

But the manner in which the midfielder has turned around his situation over the past few months is inspiring. Ceballos is now a regular rotation player under the Italian tactician and is the manager’s first-choice backup in the advanced midfield.

According to reports from Sergio Santos (h/t Madrid Zone), Ceballos’ consistent performances have not gone unnoticed. His renewal at the club is now closer than ever and an official offer from the club is imminent.

Ceballos’ current contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the season. And Los Blancos will offer him a deal for either three or five years and hope to complete negotiations this week. However, the official announcement will only be made after the season.

Ceballos’ display against Villarreal in the stunning Copa de Rey comeback is said to be the turning point that convinced the club offices to renew him.

Los Blancos quickly went 2-0 down in the first half against the Yellow Submarines on the night at Estadio de la Ceramica.

However, Ceballos came on in the 56th minute and almost immediately provided the assist for Vinicius’ goal to make it 2-1. Four minutes from time, he got onto the end of Asensio’s assist to net Real Madrid’s winning goal.

In 23 La Liga appearances for the Merengues this season, the midfielder has provided two assists. Further, he averages 1.1 key passes per game and completes 92% of his passes.