Arsenal could end up in a tug of war for midfielder Dani Ceballos, with Real Betis also keen to sign him this summer.
That’s according to Estadio Deportivo, who say that Ceballos is an ‘object of desire’ for both clubs, with Mikel Arteta pulling one arm and Betis the other.
They explain that Arsenal, who signed the midfielder on loan from Real Madrid last summer, are making ‘desperate moves’ to keep him beyond this summer.
Ceballos had looked set to return to Madrid after a disappointing campaign with the Gunners in which injuries and a lack of consistency have meant he’s struggled for his best form.
Arsenal had ‘resigned’ themselves to losing him as a result, but he’s returned to prominence under Arteta since the restart, becoming a ‘key figure’ for the Spanish boss and earning praise from him in public.
That has indicated they would look to do a permanent deal in the summer, or at the very least try and secure another loan deal once the season is done with.
However, they now face competition from his former club Real Betis who have ‘been exchanging winks’ with the player for months and ‘preparing the ground’ for a deal.
Ceballos has hinted on several occasions he would like to return to La Liga and that Heliopolis would be his preferred destination should he do so.
He is determined to go to a club where he is important and playing regularly so that he can force his way into Spain’s squads for the European Championships and Olympics next summer.
Betis can offer him both of those things and, with Manuel Pellegrini set to take over the club, Estadio say Ceballos name will undoubtedly ‘be on the table’.
But his return to prominence with Arsenal in recent weeks indicates they are a ‘good candidate’ for him as well.
The reality is that Ceballos’ future points away from London but, with Arteta pulling one arm and Betis the other, it’s a future that’s far from certain.
