Juventus, Liverpool lineup for Madrid’s unhappy Dani Ceballos

London, Feb 26: One of Spain’s most talented youngsters at the moment, life has been tough for Dani Ceballos. Since acquiring his move to Real Madrid from Real Betis, let alone game time, even a name in the subs is coming tough for Ceballos.

The former Betis midfielder has made just 17 appearances for Real in 2017-18 and only seven starts, with five of those coming in the Copa del Rey, just two in La Liga and none in the Champions League.

And in a rather surprising incident, Zinedine Zidane decided to get him on the field last week for a mere 29 seconds before the final whistle in Madrid’s 5-3 win over Betis.

The Spanish press spoke of "humiliation" on Friday and some said Zidane had done it on purpose to make an example of his player. The Frenchman, however, was quick to play down the controversy later in the day.

“It was bad," he said in the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's game against Alaves. "I don’t like to play someone for just 30 seconds. At all. I’m sorry and I have told him that.”

With his miserable spell about to continue, clubs are lining up to pull him out of the misery. The 21-year-old reportedly was wanted by a host of Europe's elite clubs last summer, including Barcelona, but chose to join Los Blancos. Liverpool and Juventus lead the race to sign Ceballos in summer.

Klopp is interested in sorting out a replacement for Coutinho that would bolster the attacking trio of Firmino, Salah, and Mane in front.

Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan too are keeping close tabs on the youngster. But Liverpool are reportedly on pole position at the moment. Signed for €16.5mn last July, Madrid will demand at double of what they paid by demanding €30mn for the Spaniard.