Arsenal are growing in confidence that they will be able to extend Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos' loan for another season.
The Spaniard moved to Emirates Stadium last summer on a year-long loan and, after a difficult start, impressed during the campaign run-in.
Both head coach Mikel Arteta and Ceballos now want to extend the loan for another season and there is confidence a deal can be struck.
Real Madrid had been planning to cash in on Ceballos this summer but, with the Covid-19 pandemic likely to reduce transfer fees, they are not opposed to waiting 12 months.
The club would still be in a strong selling position then as Ceballos’ contract expires in 2023, while his value could also rise with a good performance at Euro 2021.
Ceballos is expected to start Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, but defender Shkodran Mustafi will not.
The German injured his hamstring in the semi-final win over Manchester City and had surgery on Saturday to resolve the issue. He hopes to return to training in October.
