Real Madrid: Could Arsenal get Dani Ceballos for 40 million euros?

Real Madrid center midfielder Dani Ceballos proved himself to new Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the winter break, but could the Gunners attempt to purchase the former Real Betis star from Los Blancos?

Dani Ceballos has a great deal of potential, and the Real Madrid loanee was one of many top players out on loan in the 2019-2020 season. His loan spell with Arsenal started brightly, as he showed off his skills and vision in the center of the park for one of the Premier League’s proudest sides.

However, when the wheels fell off the wagon during Unai Emery’s doomed tenure at the helm, Ceballos’ role in the starting XI completely faded away. He didn’t immediately earn a starting job under the new manager, Mikel Arteta, either, which led to rumors that he’d pursue a new loan deal to a trusted La Liga club at the winter break.

Arsenal, of course, never had any intention of loaning Ceballos. Teams don’t give away talented players they signed for free, even on loan deals, unless if they are a smaller club trying to appease a relationship with a larger club.

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Arteta encouraged Ceballos to fight for his place, and, well, Ceballos did. He quickly turned it around after the break, putting in some hard-working shifts on both ends of the pitch in midfield to show why he is one of Europe’s more highly-regarded midfielders.

And now, according to a report from The Athletic, via @PassionMadridFR, Arsenal could try to purchase Ceballos from Real Madrid permanently.

Per @GurjitAFC, The Athletic is reporting that Ceballos was one of the “most impressive” Madrid players at Arsenal’s Dubai training camp, as his attitude has impressed the club’s coaching staff.

Since Ceballos’ loan deal has no option to buy, Arsenal would have to negotiate a deal with Florentino Perez and Los Blancos in the summer.

Before his loan deal, Real asked for about 40 million euros for Ceballos, which is exactly his value in Transfermarkt.

Ceballos didn’t blow everyone away in his loan spell at Arsenal despite, as a whole, showing quality, so it’s unlikely Real Madrid could realistically increase their asking price. Toni Kroos is still playing at a high level, Fede Valverde is an ideal No. 8, and Isco is back on form. So Real may not have a place for Ceballos, even if Luka Modric departs. Recall that Real also have Martin Odegaard and Takefusa Kubo out on loan.

The situation with Ceballos is interesting to watch, because he seems to fit Arsenal and Arteta perfectly. He’s a talented player whom Real Madrid should be able to find a place for, but 40 million euros could be a good boost for them to use in their efforts to sign a true goal-scorer.