Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has opened the door to Dani Ceballos returning to the club next summer following his move to Arsenal on loan.
The Spaniard signed a one-year deal with the Gunners this week but the deal does not include an option to buy.
The 22-year-old is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in Europe and is valued at around £45m by Madrid, who preferred to loan Ceballos instead of selling him this summer.
Madrid refused to include an option to buy in the deal but the Gunners are likely to push for a permanent transfer should the midfielder impress in north London.
Reports in Spain have claimed Ceballos fell out with Zidane but the Frenchman has denied the rumours and hinted that the midfielder will return next season as he’s an ‘important’ member of the squad.
‘No, it’s not that I didn’t get on with Ceballos,’ said Zidane.
‘I think Dani needed to play a lot because he’s an important player.
‘It’s true that at Madrid he has not had enough minutes, it’s just about that. There are a lot of players here, a lot of competition. I wish him to play many games and do well.’
Ceballos trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday.
Matteo Guendouzi returned to training after overcoming a small injury.
Arsenal take on Lyon, Angers and Barcelona in the next fortnight before opening their Premier League season with an away clash against Newcatle United.
MORE: Eden Hazard rates his Chelsea successor Christian Pulisic
