Real Madrid inflict Arsenal transfer blow after Dani Ceballos u-turn | OneFootball

Real Madrid have reportedly performed a stunning u-turn on midfielder Dani Ceballos and now want to keep him at the club next season.

Ceballos spent the 2019/20 season on-loan with Arsenal, impressing post-lockdown as they secured their 14th FA Cup after victory over Chelsea.

According to AS, manager Zinedine Zidane did not imagine the 24-year-old in his plans and was open to him joining the Gunners on-loan again next term.

But his big-game performances are understood to have ‘convinced’ senior Madrid officials over his quality and ability to improve going forward.

Ceballos has made no secret of his desire to succeed with Los Blancos, but wants to feel important with next year’s European Championship in mind.

Arsenal and Madrid will continue to negotiate over the coming weeks, however they are leaning towards the midfielder eventually replacing 34-year-old Luka Modrić.

This comes as a significant blow to the North London club who wanted Ceballos to continue his development under head coach Mikel Arteta.