Arsenal are hopeful that a deal to bring Dani Ceballos to the Emirates Stadium can be completed this week.
The 22-year-old, who was previously linked with a move to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, is thought to be closing in on a season-long loan deal with the Gunners.
The midfielder isn't part of Zinedine Zidane's plans and so the Spanish giants are willing to to allow him to leave in order to secure regular first team football.
However, there could now be a twist.
Real Madrid suffered an injury blow during the International Champions Cup clash with Marco Asensio being forced from the field.
While the extent of his injury is yet to be determined, it could spell bad news if it is more serious than first thought.
Should Asensio face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, it could put Arsenal's move for Dani Ceballos in jeopardy with Zinedine Zidane unlikely to want to go into the new season without sufficient cover in such a vital area of the pitch.
Speaking to the press after the penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid, Unai Emery revealed that he doesn't know what impact Asensio's injury will have on their pursuit of Dani Ceballos.
Asked if it could affect his plans, Emery said: "I don't know.
"Really our target in the match was not to take injuries and they have maybe a big injury with Asensio, it's bad news for them and also for us.
"I don't know if it can change something."
