On-loan Arsenal star Dani Ceballos has admitted that he could remain in the Premier League beyond the end of the current campaign.
Arsenal switch
Spanish midfielder Ceballos joined the Gunners last summer, on a season-long loan.
The highly-regarded 23-year-old was brought to the Emirates as a replacement-of-sorts for Aaron Ramsey, who of course departed north London for Italian giants Juventus following the expiration of his contract.
And, though Ceballos was fresh off the back of a difficult campaign with Real, his signing was nevertheless viewed as quite a coup for Arsenal.
Dani Ceballos joins us on a season-long loan from Real Madrid
🇪🇸 #HolaDani
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 25, 2019
Ceballos struggling
The Spaniard, though, has since gone on to endure a somewhat hit-and-miss stint in the colours of the Gunners.
While he has managed to showcase his unquestionable quality on occasion, with starring performances versus the likes of Burnley and Bournemouth, all told, Ceballos has simply failed to make the kind of impact at the Emirates that fans would no doubt have hoped for.
In fact, through a combination of injury struggles, competition for places and general inconsistencies, the former Real Betis man has notched starts in just 12 of Arsenal’s 31 Premier League fixtures.
To his credit, before the campaign was halted, Ceballos had reclaimed his place in Mikel Arteta’s midfield, with the 23-year-old having also earned starts in the Gunners’ last 2 outings over the course of the last week.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
‘Owner of my future
As such, for some time now, it has remained altogether unclear what Arsenal’s plans for Ceballos entail.
The Spanish international, on his day, is a genuine difference maker, but unfortunately for Ceballos, he has simply been unable to showcase such a level on a consistent basis during his time in England.
Speaking in a recent interview, meanwhile, the midfielder appeared to suggest that his time at the Emirates was set to come to a definitive end, upon the expiration of his loan this summer:
‘When my loan contract ends I will be a Real Madrid player again. My goal is to succeed there.’
As outlined above, however, Ceballos now appears to have backtracked on his previous statements.
During a discussion with El Larguero this week, the Spaniard admitted that the options available to Zinedine Zidane in the middle of the park at the Bernabeu mean he would be hard pressed to carve out regular playing time with his parent club next season:
‘The owner of my future next year is me. Next year I want to play and I will hardly be able to do it at Real Madrid.’
‘Would I return with [Zinedine] Zidane? I have to make the decision. He told me this year that the best thing was for me to leave and get experience.’
‘Everyone makes their decisions and they must be respected, I have nothing against him because he has always been very clear with me.’
Significantly, Ceballos then went on to open the door to a return to boyhood club Real Betis, as well the possibility of remaining in England (presumably with Arsenal):
‘Betis? It is an option. I do not close the door to play in any club. I do not rule out continuing in the Premier [League].’
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