Loaning Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has opened the doors to leave Real Madrid permanently, but has made it clear that he must feel “important” in any club he joins subsequently.
The Spaniard made a strong impression on the Emirates after coming on loan from Real, even receiving a standing ovation for his performance against Burnley in August.
But a severe hamstring injury ruled him out for several months and had to struggle to regain his place under Mikel Arteta, starting the last three Arsenal games before the season was suspended.
Arteta is believed to be a huge fan of his compatriot, although Arsenal’s ability to sign it permanently has been hampered by the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis.
The parent club Real is also feeling the effects and would be ready to cash in Ceballos to raise funds, although the Spanish midfielder has now clarified that he will move to a part that will guarantee him playing time in an important year.
Speaking of his future, Ceballos said Radio Canal Sur: ‘My goal is to play at the European Championships and the Olympic Games and when they happen you have to find a team where you feel important.
‘The future is far away, we cannot predict what will happen in a month and a half. Now we are focused on the late game against Manchester City on 17 “.
Ceballos has been linked with a return to Real Betis, although his old club is sitting in the lower half of the table and the 23-year-old believes he is good enough to play in Europe.
He continued: ‘I don’t deny that my team is Betis, I am the club I love and the one that has allowed me to become a professional footballer.
‘The feeling I have for them is different from any other club I have been to. At this moment, realistically, Betis has a team to be among the top six in Spain.
“They have high quality internationals and have to fight for European football, at the moment they have good dynamics and we hope it can continue in this way.”
Speaking about his time in the Premier League, Ceballos added: ‘Anyone who loves football like me should come and play in the Premier League sometime. Football in England is like a religion, it is played every three days because there are two cup competitions.
“Fans are very respectful and live it differently from what happens in Spain, even if that doesn’t mean that the Spanish league is less important, it’s just that in England football is breathed from every angle.”
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