Dani Ceballos to leave Arsenal at end of season - Real Madrid open to selling
By Max Cooper
Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos will leave the Gunners and return to Real Madrid at the end of the season, but Los Blancos are hoping to sell the Spaniard on a permanent basis this summer.
The 24-year-old has spent the past two seasons on loan at the Emirates Stadium, but while his first year with the club was an undeniable success, his second campaign has been far more subdued.
Arsenal have decided not to pursue a permanent deal for Ceballos this summer and he will instead return to Madrid after the Gunners' final match of the Premier League campaign, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners are attempting to trim their squad in the upcoming transfer window, with Willian expected to leave and David Luiz already a confirmed departee. The Premier League giants are unlikely to spend huge money in the summer, so they'll need to reduce their wage bill before recruiting any reinforcements.
That means that Arsenal will not take a gamble on signing Ceballos permanently. Mikel Arteta was able to get the best out of the Spaniard in their first season together, with the midfielder helping the Gunners to lift the FA Cup at the end of a tough year.
Ceballo's form has dipped considerably however, and he is now viewed as dispensable by Arteta. That leaves the Spaniard's future well and truly up in the air, as although he is set for a return to Madrid, it may not last that long.
Los Merengues are also in need of shifting some big names off their wage bill and they are prepared to sacrifice Ceballos in their hunt to balance the books. The Spain international has barely featured for Madrid since moving to the capital in 2017 and does not appear to be in Zidane's plans heading into the summer transfer window.