Arsenal have reportedly agreed a one-year loan deal with Real Madrid for Los Blancos’ talented midfielder Dani Ceballos, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Spaniard has found it difficult to break into the first team in the Spanish capital, falling down the pecking-order behind the more-experienced Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić and Casemiro, since joining from Real Betis in 2017.
However, he appears to have found an outlet in Arsenal, who have provided him with a much-needed morale boost to keep his footballing career alive and his hopes of a Spain call-up for next summer’s European Championships.
Dani Ceballos’ 2019-20 loan spell
He spent last season on-loan at The Gunners and played an integral role at the club, making 37 appearances in all competitions, where he scored two goals and provided two assists.
Ceballos had appeared in the first 11 league games under Unai Emery and interim boss Freddie Ljungberg prior to injury in November.
His absence between November and February was so detrimental that his side failed to win 12 of the 14 league games he didn’t appear in, demonstrating just how much of an influence he has on the side.
He was a favourite of new manager Mikel Arteta, who took charge in December 2019, and started in all but one of the side’s 13 remaining league matches.
He helped the side finish eighth in the league and qualify for the Europa League via victory in the FA Cup, in which he scored the injury-time winner in the quarter-final against Sheffield United.
‘Only Arsenal’
Ceballos’ impressive performances has seen him attract a host of potential suitors in Europe, but the midfielder allegedly only has eyes for Arsenal.
Romano suggested that the Spaniard was keen on rejoining Arteta’s side for a second spell and has even rejected three offers from Italy and his native Spain in favour of a return to the north London outfit.
Romano also suggested that Ceballos’ potential deal could be one of three significant signatures for the Gunners in the coming weeks, with deals for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhães and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang allegedly near to completion.
His arrival would certainly bolster Arsenal, who will require a larger contingent if they are to cope with the demands of three domestic competitions and the Europa League next campaign.
- Meet Ethan Pocic’s wife Heather as Jeffree Star tweet continues to puzzle
- Michael McKean aka ‘Lenny’ of Laverne & Shirley pays tribute to Cindy Williams
- Is the Sean Payton movie on Netflix? Where to stream Home Team
- Who is Henry Anderson’s wife Saryn? Jeffree Star tweet sends fans Googling
- Who is OussiFooty? Age, real name and nationality of TikTok footballer