As expected, Real Madrid will allow Dani Ceballos to ply his trade with Arsenal for at least one more season.
Dani Ceballos joined Arsenal on loan last season from Real Madrid, and while he had a rough patch during the middle of the season in the transition period between Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, he eventually played the football of his life under Arteta at the end of the season.
The former Real Betis man played so well that some Real Madrid fans wanted Ceballos to return to the team for the 2020-2021 season amidst depth questions in midfield. But Zinedine Zidane has recalled Martin Odegaard’s loan from Real Sociedad, meaning Ceballos would have been similarly backed-up for playing time.
Jose Luis Sanchez reports that Real Madrid will loan Ceballos to Arsenal for another season. Arsenal were always the favorites to land Ceballos for another year, and there were even rumors that Real could sell him to Arsenal permanently.
Real Madrid loaning Ceballos to Arsenal is the right decision
But the loan deal will be completed shortly, meaning Ceballos can return to the Santiago Bernabeu after the 2020-2021 season. That’s wise, because Ceballos showed in 2019-2020 that he has the passing quality, technical ability, tactical intelligence, and defensive work rate to be a star at Los Blancos, even noting their crowded midfield.
Just 24 years old, Ceballos is emerging as one of the best midfielders in Europe and has become a crucial player for Arteta and Arsenal. He will get regular playing time and a lot of responsibility in North London, so another loan deal between the clubs is best for everyone involved. Hopefully, it enables Real and Arsenal to develop a more positive relationship for any future deals.
As for Los Blancos, they will head into next season with Casemiro, Odegaard, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, and Isco as their midfielders. They could have used Ceballos as depth, but their biggest concern will be trying to find a true defensive midfield backup for Casemiro. Perhaps Castilla standout Antonio Blanco is the answer.