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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Sky Sports claim Arsenal and Tottenham have been "given a boost" after Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos was left out of the club’s squad for the International Champions Cup, per the official ICC website.

What’s the word?

Ceballos has been linked with both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal this summer.

Indeed, Football FanCast understands that Spurs are in talks with the Spanish club over a deal that would see Ceballos move on loan to north London, though they would like to include a purchase option that stands at £45m.

And now a Sky Sports transfer blog entry on Friday (July 12, 07:55) claims that both clubs have been given a boost as they look to secure Ceballos’ signature.

The Spain international, who played for the Under-21s as they won the European Championship this summer, is keen on a loan move away from Santiago Bernabeu, per Sky.

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A red herring

This is business as usual from Real Madrid.

Ceballos participated in the Under-21 Championships and, as such, is likely being given an extended rest; this is probably absolutely nothing to do with transfer negotiations.

Indeed, Jesus Vallejo, his Spain Under-21 and Real team-mate who played five times in La Liga last season, has also been left out of the travelling squad.

While certain outlets like to get a little bit over-excited in the summer, and although there is a distinct possibility Ceballos could move to the Premier League in the coming weeks, this looks like a red herring for both Spurs and Arsenal fans - something that's, at best, coincidental.

This saga could well have a few more twists and turns yet.