KEY POINTS

  • Dani Ceballos to play on loan for another year at Arsenal
  • Real Madrid not yet ready for permanent deal for Ceballos
  • Arsenal may try getting Ceballos permanently again next summer

The dream of Dani Ceballos to make a permanent move to Emirates Stadium will have to wait. Real Madrid still has the final say on the fate of the 24-year-old player and it appears another year on loan is the best to expect.

Ceballos was hoping to make a permanent move to Arsenal FC, a move that made sense considering Los Blancos had no room for the Spaniard. Also, The Guardian reported that Mikel Arteta had conversed with the German, telling him it would be best for him to return to the Premier League for another year.

Additionally, the Gunners pitched three offers to the La Liga champions to renew his loan. The best that came out of that is another year in London next season.

There is no doubt that Ceballos performed well with the Gunners. He was an integral part of the FA Cup final against Chelsea and there is no doubt he has responded well under Arteta.

"I'm very happy at Arsenal," Ceballos said to Sky Sports in July. "It's a club in which I already have a year of experience, so it would be very easy to return."

Ceballos is one of the few players who was able to adapt to the transition that Arsenal went through. He was taken in when Unai Emery was still at the helm and had to battle injuries to get where he is right now. The Spanish midfielder was able to do that, a reason why the Gunners are pushing for a permanent deal. Unfortunately, that will not happen this summer.

Hence, all Arsenal can do for now is have Ceballos this season and try again next summer. Aside from him, Arteta has a full plate with other targets in mind.

Among the players expected to come in include Gabriel Magalhaes from Lillie. The 22-year-old has come to terms with the Premier League side and all that is left is an official announcement of the transfer. Gone from the Gunners' fold is Henrikh Mkhitaryan who made his loan move to Roma permanent.

On Real Madrid's end, there are players expected to walk. Among the ones expected to do so include James Rodriguez who is believed to be on his way to Everton.

Dani Ceballos of Arsenal FC
Dani Ceballos of Arsenal FC Getty Images | Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images