Arsenal signed Dani Ceballos on a loan deal in the summer, with the 23-year-old opting for
the Gunners ahead of their North London rivals Tottenham.
Some praised the club for the coup, others questioned the desire to loan a player with no
option to buy. Now, after a positive start in London and with the Spaniard warming to
England, should Arsenal explore the possibility of signing him permanently?
Real Madrid are blessed with riches but not with patience and whilst Ceballos is already a
quality player, he is still young, learning and improving. It is fair to say the Arsenal fans are
more forgiving than Real Madrid’s and that London may be a good place for him to stay
beyond this season.
Whilst I don’t know what Madrid would demand for him, I doubt they’d be looking at major
money. In this market, a player of his quality, age and potential would be good value for
anything under £50million, in my opinion.
With Mesut Ozil surely set to leave the club in the coming months, Arsenal will want to keep Ceballos and his creativity in the team. Youngster Joe Willock has also been doing well in a more advanced midfield role, but Arsenal need both. The Gunners have already lost Ramsey and with Ozil set to go, Ceballos and Willock can fill those voids.
Should Emery stay at Arsenal beyond the end of the season, the Ceballos is certainly the
type of player that would fit well with his philosophy. He works very hard acts as a more
‘defensive’ number 10 player, acting as Ever Banega did for Emery at Sevilla.
Many will ask, but does Ceballos want to be at Arsenal? That is a valid question when you
consider what the player said before joining on loan. But since arriving, he appears to be
really enjoying his time at the club and I expect he would be open to a permanent move.
As he continues to impress and with the Euros to come this summer, Arsenal will have to
move fast to secure this deal, though, as if Madrid are willing to sell, I’m sure the player will be inundated with offers. The Gunners may have to secure Champions League football for next season to have any chance.