Football

Arsenal misfit Dani Cabellos on brink of Valencia transfer after disappointing loan spell under Arteta from Real Madrid


DANI CEBALLOS may cut his loan spell at Arsenal short to join Valencia, according to reports.

The Spanish midfielder, 23, has featured 18 times for the Gunners this season.

 Dani Ceballos could return to Spain and complete a move to the LaLiga side this week

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Dani Ceballos could return to Spain and complete a move to the LaLiga side this weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But his season-long loan deal has not gone to plan for the playmaker, who was signed from Real Madrid by Unai Emery in the summer.

And now according to The Athletic, he is hoping to return to his homeland and link up with Valencia, who are optimistic they can get a deal done.

Ceballos endeared himself to the Emirates faithful with his man-of-the-match performance against Burnley on August 17, providing both assists and running the show.

But a hamstring injury in November ruled him out of 11 matches and then in the same month, Emery was sacked while he was recovering in Spain.

Since fellow compatriot Mikel Arteta arrived, the new boss has repeatedly said Ceballos is not yet at full fitness to play in his high-intensity system.

The report states that Ceballos has declared he is fully fit but sources do not believe Arteta fully knows what the midfielder can offer just yet.

And that was evident on Monday night when Arteta opted to start Joe Willock in the No10 in the FA Cup win at Bournemouth.

Ceballos did come off the bench, replacing Nicolas Pepe with 20 minutes to go.


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Despite his apparent lack of opportunities in North London, Arteta recently said he wants Ceballos to fight for his place.

He said: “I had a conversation with Dani.

“When I joined the club he wasn’t here, he was in Madrid because he was doing his rehab for over a month with the team that owns him.

“When I came here he was doing his rehab in the first two or three weeks, getting back to fitness, and I haven’t seen much of him because he only trained with us for a week or ten days.

“It’s very early to assess what I can or cannot do with him. I heard about all those things but I have nothing to comment.”

But with Euro 2020 just five months away, Ceballos is understandably keen to get regular minutes under his belt to try and force his way into Luis Enrique’s squad.

A move to the Mestalla before Friday’s transfer deadline would see the midfielder join his fourth club by the age of 23.

However, it is understood Arsenal would only be willing to let the loanee head back to Spain if they can secure a replacement.

The Gunners are still hopeful of completing Pablo Mari’s move from Flamengo this week.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says want-away Dani Ceballos will not return to Real Madrid and must fight for his place





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