Report: Rival club in line to offload £35m ace who Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is really fond of

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Arsenal on-loan midfielder Dani Ceballos has been placed on a 12-man list of players surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, according to a report in the Daily Star.

Last summer, the Gunners brought Ceballos to the Emirates Stadium on a season-long stint from Real Madrid for a reported £15million fee (The Sun).

The 23-year-old was reportedly open to cutting short his stay in January as a result of a lack of game time, but has since worked his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans.

With the season currently on hiatus, Ceballos’ future – both at Arsenal and at Real – is uncertain, though the Gunners are reportedly confident of keeping him beyond 30 June on loan (Evening Standard).

The Daily Star has now claimed that, although the playmaker’s preference is to break into Los Blancos’ squad, Zinedine Zidane doesn’t see a future for him at the Bernabeu, naming him on the aforementioned 12-man list.

The report adds that Real’s current preference would be to loan him out again next season, opening the door for Arsenal to extend his temporary deal.

However, Valencia and Real Betis are believed to have made contact with Real about a permanent transfer, and it is understood Los Blancos will now listen to offers for Ceballos this summer.

El Desmarque has previously quoted a fee of around £30million to £35million.

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Ceballos has worked his way into Arsenal’s first-team plans and has started the Gunners’ last three Premier League games, impressing in a deep midfield role.

Arteta has been won over, telling The Mirror a month ago that he is “really happy” with the Spain international attacking midfielder and what he is adding to his team.

Whether Arteta would want his signature on a permanent basis remains to be seen, but given the Spanish coach is a great man-manager and has already worked wonders with Ceballos, there could yet be much more untapped potential.

And with Real reportedly being willing to part ways with Ceballos, it’s now up to Arsenal to make a decision – and in wake of the uncertain economic climate, perhaps another loan deal wouldn’t be a bad call.