Arsenal are all set to send Dani Ceballos back to Real Madrid this summer and as per reports, the Gunners want Nabil Fekir as a replacement.
Ceballos has failed to impress during his loan stint at the Emirates, as he has managed to provide just two assists in 14 Premier League matches so far. And as per the Daily Star, the Arsenal hierarchy is looking at former Liverpool target Nabil Fekir as a like-to-like replacement for the Spanish midfielder.
The report claims: “Ceballos has often spoken of his desire to make it at Madrid, and was recently reassured by Real boss Zinedine Zidane that his future will be at the club.
“But it’s understood Zidane does not consider him ready to be a regular starter next season and would not block another loan move. That would open the door for Arsenal – but Ceballos has yet to really catch fire at the Emirates and the Gunners have been planning for life without him.
“Arsenal recently enquired about Real Betis midfielder Nabil Fekir, and are expected to sign a midfielder this summer on a permanent basis.
“So if Ceballos leaves Madrid, the 23-year-old is more likely to join another Spanish club on loan than he is the Gunners.”
Will Nabil Fekir replace Dani Ceballos at Arsenal?
Last month Ceballos had hinted that he wishes to head back to the Bernabeu next season and we don’t think the remaining few matches this season will do much to change either his or Arteta’s mind.
“I am a Real Madrid player… and any player in the world would like to play for Real Madrid,” he told TVE in Spain (via TEAMtalk).
“I have a contract with them for three more years and they are the ideal team to succeed. I am happy and I have a contract with Real Madrid.”
Nabil Fekir has scored seven goals and six assists in 22 La Liga appearances this season for Real Betis and he can play on either wing as well as a No 10. So clearly, getting their hands on such a versatile player will be a great bit of business from the Gunners thinktank.
Real Betis paid £18 million to Lyon last summer to sign Fekir and hence we are not quite sure the La Liga side will be too interested in letting the France international leave after just a single season. Plus, the 26-year-old still has three more years on his current deal.
An absurd transfer fee might tempt the Spanish side to agree on a sale but Arsenal clearly do not have the financial muscle to put something like £40 or 50 million on the table.
But clearly these are just early days in this rumour and we think Mikel Arteta will only make a decision on Nabil Fekir and Dani Ceballos once the 2019-20 season is wrapped up.
