Whether or not West Ham fans like to admit it or not, Dimitri Payet was a player that took the club to new levels during his short-spell in east London.

The French international was the star man for a West Ham side that achieved their highest Premier League finish ever and took the Hammers back into Europe for the first time in nearly a decade, and two years on since his return to Marseille, the club are still looking for Payet’s replacement.

Manuel Lanzini has shown sparks of filling the void but his hopes of replacing Payet have ultimately been hampered with long-term injuries and inconsistent form, and with a massive transfer window coming up for the Hammers, solving this long-term problem should be a priority for Manuel Pellegrini, and there is a name who could replace the Frenchman’s long-vacant spot.

According to the Mirror, the Hammers are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, who is set to leave Los Blancos as part of a major summer overhaul for the Spanish giants, and Pellegrini might have found a solution to a long-term problem.

Real Madrid signed the attacking midfielder from Real Betis for £14.85 million (as per Transfermarkt) back in 2017.

Ceballos was once touted as one of the most promising players in Spain during his Real Betis days, but like most storylines in the country, a premature move to Real Madrid has halted what looked like an exciting career for the midfielder despite winning a Champions League medal, and West Ham could offer a new lease of life to the 22-year-old.

The Spanish international has the flair and technical ability to become a quick fan favourite in east London, and his experience at Madrid with some of the best players in the world will make him a ready-made product for Premier League football.

Payet has left a big hole in the West Ham team, but Pellegrini has the smarts to identify the right player to fill the void left by the Frenchman, and Ceballos could be the star to do the job.

West Ham fans, would Ceballos be a good summer signing? Let us know!