Aston Villa manager Unai Emery wants to sign Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid in the January transfer window, according to Fichajes. Emery worked with Ceballos at Arsenal, and the Villa manager is keen on a reunion with his Spanish compatriot at Villa.

Emery wanted to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid this month, but the former Chelsea midfielder eventually decided to join Tottenham Hotspur instead, despite the Villans and the Spanish club agreeing a deal for the Englishman.

Fichajes has reported: ‘Although the profile of the Andalusian differs from that of Gallagher, Emery is convinced that his ability to manage the time of the match is just what the team requires. 

‘The harmony between both professionals is total, having previously praised the tactical meticulousness of a coach who knows how to enhance his individual virtues over the green. 

‘For the Birmingham team, achieving this signing in the middle of the season would be a blow to their fight to consolidate themselves in the European privileged positions. 

‘However, the operation is not simple due to the firm position that the Madrid club usually maintains with the players that it considers useful pieces of rotation.’