Arsenal are waiting for Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane to approve a loan deal for midfielder Dani Ceballos, According to Sky Sports News.
It is belived that Tottenham were in talks with Real Madrid over a permanent deal for the midfielder, but the club and player prefer Arsenal’s loan proposal, with the deal expected to be completed in the coming days with Zidane’s blessing.
The proposed loan deal suits the gunners from a financial perspective, allowing them to focus their funds on other important targets.
Real Madrid, who initially wanted to sell the player, are now also only interested in a temporary deal after the midfielder’s impressive performances at the European U21 Championships.
Dani Ceballos himself believes he still has a future at the Santiago Bernabeu and Sky Sports News reports he prefers a loan move to Arsenal, rather than Tottenham, because of the prospect of more first-team opportunities.
Arsenal are also close to completing a deal with Saint-Etienne for their defender William Saliba, though Spurs are also keen on the player, according to reports.
It was reported last week that Arsenal were set to secure a £27m deal with the Ligue 1 club, which would see the promising 18-year-old loaned straight back next campaign.
It is understood that the Gunners’ London rivals Tottenham were also in negotiations with Saint-Etienne – but have yet to make a formal offer for the defender.
The French side were believed to be waiting for Tottenham to make a bid before deciding on the defender’s next club – in an attempt to drive up his transfer fee, with the player preferring a transfer to the Emirates.
According to Sky Sports News understands, the nature of the deals for both Ceballos and Saliba will allow Arsenal to continue to pursue their other targets such as Wilfried Zaha.
