Real Madrid willing to offer Ceballos and another player in exchange to sign 25-year-old - Reports 

Real Madrid are reportedly willing to offer Dani Ceballos and Nacho Fernandez in exchange for Inter Milan midfielder Nico Barella.

Italian outlet CMW (via TheHardTackle) reports that Los Blancos are looking to step up their interest in Barella, who still has four years left on his current deal with Inter Milan.

Barella, 25, impressed last season for Simone Inzaghi's side, making 48 appearances, scoring four goals and contributing 13 assists.

The Italian is fast becoming one of Europe's most admired midfielders.

Despite Madrid having secured the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni, they seem eager to lure Barella to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Both Ceballos, 25, and Nacho, 32, are players on the fringes of first-team football at Madrid.

Ceballos made just 18 appearances last season. Nacho, on the other hand, played 42 games, but most of his appearances (16) came from the bench.

Hence, Carlo Ancelotti may be looking to free up space in his Madrid squad by offloading players surplus to requirements.

Also, Real Madrid need to find a replacement for Luka Modric as the Croatian approaches the twilight of his career. Modric has put pen-to-paper on a new one-year extension with Los Blancos, but Barella may be his long-term replacement in waiting.

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Real Madrid targeting Inter Milan midfielder Nico Barella earlier than expected

Nico Barella has been a long-term target for Madrid

Having already sealed the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni, there perhaps wasn't a need for Los Blancos to move for another midfielder.

Toni Kroos is currently tied to the Santiago Bernabeu until next summer and his lack of commitment may be behind the club's pursuit of Barella.

Kroos, 32, has been a mainstay in Carlo Ancelotti's side but the rise of Eduardo Camavinga and the arrival of Tchouameni may put his place in doubt.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder made 44 appearances for Los Blancos last season, scoring three goals and contributing three assists.