Dani Ceballos was brought in on loan by Arsenal from Real Madrid last summer and the midfielder has had a really mixed season so far in England.
This campaign the player has featured in only 14 Premier League games so far, managing to provide just two assists and at one point, it seemed Arsenal were not too keen in holding onto him as a permanent signing.
But since then, the games have been suspended meaning Arsenal are sure to face a massive financial crunch in the summer which is why the manager could be giving thoughts at retaining Dani Ceballos instead of putting money on a new player.
And these hopes have received a major boost with the player claiming that he is yet to have a conversation with Zinedine Zidane about his future at the Bernabeu.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the loanee said, as quoted by Sports Mole: “I now have a contract with Arsenal. At the moment in Madrid, it is difficult to play with the players there are. Now I focus on being important in this club.
“I haven’t spoken to Zidane since I left. I don’t think Zidane talks to the loan players.”
Will Arteta retain Dani Ceballos permanently?
Initially, Dani Ceballos was way down the pecking order when Mikel Arteta took charge at Arsenal but in the past couple of months, things have started looking brighter for the midfielder.
In March, Arteta had admitted that Ceballos was making rapid progress without giving clear indications if he will remain at the club or not.
“We haven’t had any discussions about it [a permanent deal],” the Gunners boss had said last month.
“I’m really happy with Dani and what he’s bringing to the team right now.
“It took him a while after his injury to get to the level that he has and that I’ve seen in the past. He’s performing much better now and that’s why he’s playing much more games.”
Also, to be fair, the player has had an injury-hit season so far which has been one of the big reasons why Dani Ceballos has not been able to perform at his peak. Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Mikel Arteta chooses to hand the 23-year-old a lifeline by keeping him permanently at the Emirates.
It’s pretty clear Zidane has no use of the player in his side so even if he returns back to Spain in the summer, the Real Madrid boss will make sure he is sent out before the new season even begins.
