Spanish clubs circling as Arsenal star names ideal next destination

Luiz.Ceballos.Aubameyang.Arsenal.TEAMtalk

On-loan Arsenal playmaker Dani Ceballos has identified a return to boyhood club Real Betis next season as his ideal destination, though the Gunners and Valencia also remain keen on securing his signature.

Ceballos, 23, joined Arsenal on a 12-month loan from Real Madrid last summer.

His early performances had Gunners fans purring at the coup, but a dip in form soon materialised after a humbling 3-1 defeat to would-be champions Liverpool at Anfield.

Frequently benched under Unai Emery, Ceballos’ time at the Emirates seemed destined to fizzle out, but a change in the managerial hotseat breathed new life into his loan spell under new boss Mikel Arteta.

However, the latest report from British newspaper the Metro (who cite Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo) state that Ceballos sees his future back in Spain next season.

The article states that Ceballos is ‘prepared to go out on loan again next season’ and has ‘already selected Real Betis as his No.1 option.’

The Spain international elected to make the initial temporary switch to Arsenal partly in order to increase his chances of securing a spot in Spain’s Euro 2020 squad.

However, with that competition now shelved until the summer of 2021, Ceballos now has an extra year in which to stake a claim.

Regular game-time will be a firm necessity to achieve his goal, and the article goes on to state that ‘the 23-year-old sees Real Betis as the ideal option if Real cannot guarantee him a regular place next season.’

 

Arsenal are described as ‘keen’ to tie the midfielder down to a permanent deal, but look set to miss out along with another Spanish side – Valencia.

Los Che have been credited with interest in the current Gunner according to Spanish outlet Gols Media.

They too state that Ceballos intends to return to Spain upon completion of his loan spell, and state that Valencia see Ceballos as the ideal replacement for club stalwart Dani Parejo,

However, Real Betis are once again mentioned, this time as being noted backers of the player they initially brought to the club as a fifteen year old in 2011.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s fear of experiencing a repeat of the scenario which saw Robin van Persie depart to a rival in 2012 has led them to table an extraordinary offer.