According to Transfer20, Real Betis are giving up the chase to sign Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos next season as they can’t afford parent club Real Madrid’s demands.
Ceballos has spent the past season on loan at Arsenal.
After a slow start and falling out of favour under Unai Emery, Ceballos has since become a leading figure for Arsenal under his successor Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard’s loan spell comes to an end after this weekend’s FA Cup final.
There has been plenty of speculation over his future. Former club Real Betis are keen, but it now appears a possible return to the Benito Villamarin is out of question.
T20 claim Betis have given up in their attempts. Real Madrid seek a hefty £9 million loan fee, while Arsenal remain the frontrunners to re-sign him.
Moreover, the Spanish editorial add that the only way Betis could afford Ceballos is to sell a top player like Nabil Fekir first, a solution which the club aren’t interested in doing.
Arsenal have found a spot for 23-year-old alongside Granit Xhaka. The midfield duo have been in decent form, culminating in the FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City.
Overall Ceballos has made 35 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions this term.
With Matteo Guendouzi out in the cold, there isn’t a great number of central midfield options currently ready at the Emirates Stadium so Ceballos returning makes sense.
A recent report in AS claim the Gunners are set to retain him. The player’s relationship with Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, meanwhile, is described as poor.
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