Atletico Madrid have made Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos their number one transfer target, according to reports in Spain.
Diego Simeone has prioritised the signing of a new central midfielder following a long-term knee injury to Augusto Fernandez and 35-year-old Tiago nearing the end of his career and both AS and Mundo Deportivo report that it's the Verdiblancos midfielder who is their target.
The 20-year-old was targetted by Los Rojiblancos in summer but Betis boss Gus Poyet vetoed the deal and Ceballos had no urge to push it through, as he reportedly wished to repay the club which had signed him as a youth player in 2011.
The offer has been reportedly in the region of €9m but despite Poyet stating the Andalucian-native was an 'important player' to him, he has often been an unused substitute this campaign.
However, Atletico as things stand are banned from making any signings during 2017 and will have to wait for any move.
