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According to a report in The Mirror, Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is on West Ham United's transfer wish-list, and if they manage to pull off a deal they would be sorted in central midfield for the next decade.

What's the word, then?

Well, according to The Mirror Irons manager Manuel Pellegrini is a fan of the 22-year-old having managed in Spain, while director of football Mario Husillos feels he would fit in well with the continued overhaul of the playing staff.

The Mirror report that the east London outfit have been alerted to the La Liga player's availability with Real Madrid planning a big summer spending spree following a disappointing season in the Spanish top flight and the Champions League.

The story adds that while the European giants would prefer to send Ceballos out on a season-long loan deal, the Hammers have been given encouragement by intermediaries that he could be available permanently for £18m.

A good signing?

He would be a brilliant addition for West Ham.

While he perhaps hasn't made the impact he would have liked at the Bernabeu, you only have to look at his performances for Spain and Real Betis previously to know how good he is and how good he could be in the English capital.

He is technically brilliant, is capable of finding those forward passes others can't and at 22 years of age he still has so much time to improve and get better.

The Irons haven't quite found the right partner for England international Declan Rice yet with Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble etc failing to make the grade on a consistent basis.

It would be a different story if they got Ceballos though, as he has the attributes and traits to complement the new Three Lions star in the middle of the park.

Should Pellegrini and Husillos manage to bring him to the London Stadium permanently, they would conceivably be sorted in central midfield for the next decade.