Arsenal are all but set to complete the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos on a season-long loan deal after the Spaniard underwent his medical.
Arsenal fans can finally look forward to a significant summer signing as a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos edges closer. According to The Sun, Ceballos has undergone his medical at London Colney after Arsenal agreed a season-long loan deal with Real Madrid for the Spanish Under-21 star.
As of two days ago, the deal for Ceballos was well underway, and the midfielder was expected to join Arsenal imminently. However, in the aftermath of the Gunners’ International Champions Cup clash with Real Madrid, wherein Marco Asensio suffered a long-term injury, there emerged doubts over the Ceballos deal.
Unai Emery was optimistic it could go over the line, but feared Real Madrid might back away due to Asensio’s situation. Those doubts have been put to rest as Ceballos has reportedly undergone a medical with Arsenal and a move now looks set to see the light of the day.
Arsenal have had to compete hard with North London rivals Tottenham, who have also been on his case this summer. Despite the lure of Spurs and Champions League football, Ceballos has chosen Arsenal and is set to spend the season at the Emirates.
There is no option embedded in the deal to buy Ceballos outright at the end of the season. However, there were reports of an option being presented if Ceballos makes a certain number of appearances during the season. Real Madrid are reportedly demanding €50 million for the midfielder, whose value skyrocketed after terrific displays at the Under-21 European Championships.
Ceballos, who rose to prominence with Real Betis, signed for Real Madrid in a £16 million deal back in 2017. While the expectations were high, the midfielder never became a regular under Zinedine Zidane. He got regular playing time only after Zidane left the club last summer. However, the Frenchman’s return as manager will have threatened his chances for the future.
The idea behind a loan move is to get regular playing time and to keep his long-term Real Madrid dream alive. Ceballos is hoping to return to form and subsequently establish himself as a regular at his parent club next season, although things can change quickly in football.
For Arsenal, this could be a decisive week as they are also set to announce the signing of William Saliba from Saint-Etienne. Saliba though, will be sent back to the French club on loan. In terms of the potential Ceballos signing, he’d be an excellent addition for Arsenal and bring in some much-needed creativity for the coming season.
