An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their attempts to strengthen their squad during the previous transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid central midfielder Dani Ceballos rejected the chance to sign for Unai Emery's Villans last month.
The report claims that the Spain international turned down offers from Villa and reigning Serie A champions AC Milan in order to remain with his current club, despite his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.
It is stated that the player is not interested in a return to playing in the Premier League, where he worked with Emery at Arsenal, as the gem would like to stay in Spain.
John McGinn upgrade
Being rejected by Ceballos was a big blow for Emery and Johan Lange during the January transfer window as the dynamo could have been a big upgrade on current midfielder John McGinn.
The £53k-per-week Real maestro is a technical wizard who combines quality in possession with hard graft and defensive contributions off the ball.
As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 1% for take-ons and progressive passes while also sitting in the top 10% for overall passes and pass competition percentage per 90 over the last 365 days.
This suggests that the former Arsenal loanee has been one of the best central midfielders on the continent for building up play from the middle of the park, by either dribbling past opposition players or taking them out of the game with line-splitting passes to get his team up the pitch.
McGinn, on the other hand, only ranks higher than the top 49% of players in take-ons per 90 and is in the bottom 17% for pass completion percentage, which suggests that the Real Madrid gem would be a significant upgrade on the Scotland international in terms of what he offers in possession.
Along with that, Ceballos, who was once hailed as "ludicrously graceful" by journalist James Benge, ranks in the top 9% of midfielders for blocks and interceptions per 90, which shows that the Spaniard does not shy away from his defensive responsibility.
McGinn, meanwhile, ranks in the top 10% for tackles and interceptions, although he does not crack the top 40% for blocks per 90, numbers that indicate they are both very active defenders for their sides.
Therefore, Ceballos would have been an upgrade on the Villa skipper in midfield due to their similar defensive contributions and the massive gap in quality in what they offer in possession.