Arsenal are keeping an eye on Dani Ceballos’ situation at Real Madrid and could be in for a January move.
In a move that can only be described as desperate, Arsenal are apparently interested in the services of Dani Ceballos. According to the report from El Nacional, the Premier League giants are closely monitoring the situation of the Real Madrid midfielder, who has been unfortunate with injuries this season.
Ceballos is expected to return to full fitness around November. He is currently doing individual training, and should he return on time, the midfielder may have a shot at breaking into the Real Madrid side under Carlo Ancelotti.
However, the former Real Betis starlet has other options as well, including a sensational return to Emirates. The midfielder, after all, had spent the last two seasons on loan in North London, making a total of 77 competitive appearances for the Gunners, most notably winning the FA Cup during Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge.
That said, Ceballos wasn’t much of a success at Arsenal, as he lacked consistency in his performances. The arrival of Thomas Partey last summer, coupled with the sudden redemption of Granit Xhaka, affected his role in the first team, eventually forcing the Gunners to not make an effort to re-sign him in the summer.
The Premier League giants ended up opting for Albert Sambi Lokonga, who has done well since joining from RSC Anderlecht. But it appears the early-season injury to Xhaka has now once again put Arteta in a precarious situation, leaving him devoid of a viable alternative for either Partey or Lokonga.
As a result, the Gunners are exploring the idea of re-signing Ceballos in January. He is not the only option, though, with the club also being linked with a swoop for Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez.
Interestingly, Los Verdiblancos are the most likely destination for Ceballos, should he leave Real Madrid in the winter. Real Betis are the dream club for the midfielder, and he would be more than willing to return to Benito Villamarin, where he can reunite with his former Arsenal mate Hector Bellerin.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard manages to make an impression under Ancelotti when he returns to full fitness next month. The former AC Milan boss is open to giving Ceballos the opportunities, which is hardly surprising given the club’s financial situation and the ageing nature of their trusted midfield trifecta of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric.
