Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has turned down an approach from Atletico Madrid, reports The Athletic.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the Santiago Bernabeu club at the end of the season.
It appears Madrid are not keen on handing him a new deal, and Atletico made a move.
They also looked to sign Ceballos in 2021, but he was not interested at the time, and nothing has changed.
Atletico reached out to him at the end of the first week of the international break.
However, the Spain international did not even give them a chance to discuss specific points of a potential agreement.
Ceballos quickly made it clear that his only plan is to remain at Madrid beyond this season.
He joined Los Blancos from Real Betis in 2017 but left temporarily in 2019.
The midfielder spent two seasons on loan at Arsenal before returning to Madrid in 2021.
It was at that point that Atletico tried to land him, as his future at the club looked bleak.
However, he has since featured in 50 games across all competitions for Madrid.
Los Blancos are yet to make a definitive decision about him, but chances of a new deal are as slim as they come.
Nevertheless, Ceballos is hoping he can do enough during the business end of the season to convince the board.
Should they opt against keeping him, remaining in La Liga appeals to him.
Atletico will likely return for him if that happens, and landing him for free will be great.
However, they are unlikely to be the only club interested in signing such a quality player for nothing.
Arsenal could look to bring him back to the Premier League.
Top clubs across Europe could come for him, and he will not be short of suitors if Madrid let him go.
