Ajax emerge as early suitors with Dani Ceballos set to leave Real Madrid

Dani Ceballos is set to leave Real Madrid after nine years

Long-time midfielder Dani Ceballos is reportedly set to leave Real Madrid this summer, marking the end of a 9-year spell in the Spanish capital.

Dani Ceballos, 29, joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2017 from Real Betis, who received a reported fee of €18 million for the midfielder. The Spaniard has played 214 games for Los Merengues, winning 15 trophies along the way. Ceballos spent two of his nine years with Real on loan at Arsenal, between 2019 and 2021.

During the current season, Ceballos has played just 810 minutes across 22 games in all competitions.

With Ceballos' contract in Madrid expiring in the summer, the 14-time Spanish international is reportedly on the way out. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that Ceballos will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract, with three clubs lined up to swoop in for the midfielder.

Dutch giants Ajax look to be one of the teams ready to pounce, with technical director Jordi Cruyff looking to overhaul the record champions' squad over the summer.

Ajax are currently in fifth in the Eredivisie and will be without silverware for the fourth consecutive season. Cruyff, formerly the director of football at FC Barcelona, joined the Amsterdam club in February.