Sources close to Dani Ceballos are suggesting the Real Madrid midfielder’s preference is to join Tottenham Hotspur, despite links to Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan.

At the start of June, reports suggested Arsenal had joined Tottenham Hotspur in showing an interest in Ceballos. Spanish outlet AS also claimed Arsenal would be willing to meet Real Madrid’s valuation.

The two North London clubs weren’t the only ones linked to a transfer, with Liverpool and AC Milan also reported as potential destinations for the 22-year-old.

According to Saturday’s edition of the Mirror, Tottenham are the team closing in on a loan deal as it stands. They’re pushing hard to get it down, and sources close to the player claim they’re Ceballos’ first-choice move.

Though that might seem surprising given Liverpool, AC Milan and Arsenal are all bigger clubs than Spurs, it does also make some sense in the circumstances.

Ceballos is only going on loan, so his primary goal is going to be finding a club he can play for every week. Mauricio Pochettino has seemingly guaranteed him that opportunity, whilst the others don’t seem to provide the same certainty.