Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has completed a move to Premier League Arsenal on a season-long loan deal, the Gunners announced on Thursday.
Arsenal have made an official announcement to confirm that they have secured the services of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid. The Spanish international has put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal and will spend the entirety of the 2019-20 campaign with the Premier League heavyweights.
Ceballos has endured a frustrating time since joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2017. A player full of promise and excitement, the 22-year-old has managed to start a mere 28 games in the two seasons that he has spent with Los Blancos, despite the evident potential.
?? #HolaDani ?
Welcome to The Arsenal, @DaniCeballos46 ? pic.twitter.com/8gZLggahJZ
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 25, 2019
With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos expected to continue being regulars for Real Madrid in the upcoming season, things did not bode well for Ceballos, despite his promising displays at the Under-21 European Championships.
As a result, the option of making a temporary switch to the Premier League presented itself. Arsenal have been linked with the Real Madrid midfielder all summer, but Tottenham had briefly threatened to steal a march on their North London rivals for the talented youngster.
Recent reports though, had suggested that Arsenal had taken a decisive lead in the race to sign Ceballos and the interest in the Spaniard does make sense, for a couple of reasons. The departure of Aaron Ramsey has created a huge void in the attacking midfield department, especially with Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan struggling to maintain consistency.
As a result, Ceballos could be a like-for-like replacement for the Welshman. Additionally, with only a loan deal being mooted in widespread reports, the former Premier League champions could concentrate on spending their modest budget on other targets, while still securing the services of the Real Madrid man.
Reports this week had suggested that Ceballos had undergone his medical with Arsenal, even as concerns started mounting in the aftermath of Marco Asensio’s long-term injury. And, the Premier League giants have indeed gone on to swoop Ceballos away from Real Madrid on a season-long loan, with the Spaniard coincidentally inheriting Ramsey’s number 8 jersey.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery expressed his happiness at having signed Ceballos from Real Madrid, saying, “We’re excited to see Dani join us. He is a talented player with big technical ability, creativity and precision.” The player will be available for this weekend’s Emirates Cup.
The deal, however, does not give Arsenal any option to sign Ceballos permanently, as per AS, which goes to show how highly Real Madrid rate him. Indeed, with Modric in the twilight of his career, chances are a regular spot could open up for him next season. For now, a journey in the Premier League beckons.
