Real Betis deny Dani Ceballos, Real Madrid talk

Real Betis president Angel Haro has denied that Dani Ceballos is closing in on a move to Real Madrid.

The 20-year-old has a £10.5m release clause inserted into his contract at Betis, and it has been reported that Madrid have met the midfielder's buy-out ahead of a move to the Bernabeu in this summer's transfer window.

Haro, however, has insisted that "there are no ongoing negotiations with any club", with Betis desperate to keep hold of a player that has been key in the Spain Under-21s's achievement of reaching the final of the Under-21 European Championships this summer.

"There are no ongoing negotiations with any club," Haro told Canal Sur TV. "We would like him to remain at Betis and we will do all that we can for that to happen, but it doesn't only depend on us but on several parties.

"It would be in Betis's best interest for him to remain as long as possible and for him to help us win titles. Next season we want to have a leap in quality."

Ceballos, who is just two league appearances short of 100 for Betis, admitted earlier this week that "it would be nice to play in Europe" when questioned on his future.