Arsenal are said to be in advanced talks with Real Madrid to bring back midfielder Dani Ceballos on another season-long loan spell at the club.
Ceballos during the latter stages of the Premier League campaign established himself as an increasingly influential player for Arsenal, and boss Mikel Arteta is keen to keep him at the Emirates Stadium with the club increasingly confident of a deal in the coming days.
However, he remains a Real player and he took part in Monday’s training session with Madrid as the squad gathered for their first session since they were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City last month.
Dani Ceballos in an interview back in July expressed a willingness to return to North London next season.
“I’m very happy at Arsenal,” Ceballos says. “It’s a club in which I already have a year of experience, so it would be very easy to return.
“I wouldn’t have to adapt to a new league or new club with a different manager and players.
“I think it would be a good step for me. But like I said, my future depends on Real Madrid and right now I don’t know their decision.”
Ceballos joined Arsenal on loan last season to gain more game time since realizing his playing opportunities would be limited under Zinedine Zidane at Real, who he joined from boyhood club Real Betis in 2017.
The 24-year-old has forged a better relationship with Arteta, who he likens to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in how he sees the game.
“I love his way of seeing the game and the things he likes about football,” said Ceballos.
“The míster is very intelligent for such a young coach. It’s like he has spent a whole lifetime in football before this one.
“He knows a lot about various aspects of the game and he works well tactically. It’s also clear that he has spent a lot of time with Pep Guardiola because he has a lot of the same characteristics as him.
“I think he’s a manager who is going to be among the best in the world in the future.”
Should the deal get sealed soon, Ceballos would become Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer, after they confirmed the capture of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille and also agreed permanent deals for Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari, who had been on loan, while also signing Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea.
The Gunners have also been boosted by the arrival of William Saliba, who spent last season on loan at St Etienne after being signed for £27m, while David Luiz signed a new one-year deal to remain with the club.
