Real Madrid have apparently decided that they want to keep Dani Ceballos for next season as the player is linked with a number of different clubs around Europe.

VIGO, SPAIN - APRIL 02: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid shoots at goal but fails to score during the LaLiga Santander match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Madrid CF at Abanca-Balaídos on April 02, 2022 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
VIGO, SPAIN – APRIL 02: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid shoots at goal but fails to score during the LaLiga Santander match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Madrid CF at Abanca-Balaídos on April 02, 2022 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Dani Ceballos signed for Real Madrid from Real Betis in 2017 for £14.85m.

Since then, the midfielder has played more games for Arsenal than he has for his parent club.

Naturally, there were reports that the player could be set to leave this summer, although Ceballos’ preference was always to remain.

Now, according to a report from Spain, Real Madrid have made a decision to keep him for another season, at least.

At that point, he will be out of contract.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks on with the ball under his shirt during the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks on with the ball under his shirt during the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England.(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Ceballos went into this season with a serious injury that kept him out of action until the start of the year.

They’ve used him sparingly, however, only starting him for the first time last weekend against Osasuna, where Ceballos’ performance was praised by Carlo Ancelotti.

I can’t help but think that Real Madrid say this sort of stuff around this time of year, every season.

That way, they can keep his price high because they ‘value him’ whilst also feeding the hopes of the player so he doesn’t agitate for a move, impacting his price.

It wouldn’t even surprise me to see them give him another contract.

Perhaps Ceballos does have a future at Real Madrid.

Perhaps the minutes he’s seen recently are indicative of a player who has a future at the Bernabeu, just like he always dreamed.

Perhaps, though, the best indicator of future behaviour is past behaviour and Real Madrid are lulling Ceballos into another season as a fringe player.

Guess we will just have to wait to find out.