Arsenal are close to sealing the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.
As reported by football.london , the Gunners are confident that they have all but secured a season-long loan deal for the Spain under-21 international, beating off competition from Tottenham Hotspur in the process.
It's understood that Ceballos' wages, believed to be around £60,000-a-week will be paid in its entirety by the north London outfit, although, there is not expected to be a purchase option in the agreement between the two clubs.
Head coach Unai Emery has even opened up on his plans for the Spaniard.
"We were speaking about the possibility to sign one player on loan," Emery told reporters. "We had different names. The club was working on that.
"Ceballos is a very good player. I know him from Betis at the beginning and Real Madrid.
"He played very well in the Under-21s, his national team won the competition. He is one eight and 10 player."
There's been reports in Spain that Ceballos could undergo his medical as early as today, so with an announcement seemingly imminent there's only one question left.
What shirt number will he take at Arsenal?
Well, we take a look at what's available.
What numbers has Ceballos previously worn?
When Ceballos broke into the first-team at Real Betis he wore the no.46 shirt which was upgraded to no.10 ahead of the 2015/2016 season.
In the three seasons at Real Madrid he's worn no.24.
His shirt numbers for the Spanish u21 team has fluctuated in recent years. This summer he wore no.10 but has also worn no.6 and no.8.
For the senior team he wore no.8 in a EURO 2020 qualifier last season and it just so happens that shirt number has become vacant at the Emirates Stadium since July 1.
Free numbers at Arsenal
No.3
The number is currently vacant following Kieran Gibbs' switch to West Brom at the start of the 2017/18 campaign.
No.8
Aaron Ramsey's departure to Juventus on a free transfer means that the No.8 shirt is free to any new signings arriving at the Emirates.
No.12
The number 12 is now vacant again after Stephan Lichtsteiner's contract wasn't renewed, thus ending his one-year stay at the Emirates Stadium.
No.13
David Ospina, spent last season on loan at Napoli, and was the current owner of the No.13 shirt until that deal was made permanent earlier in the summer.
No.19
Vacant following Bernd Leno's upgrade to the no.1 shirt.
No.22
Arsenal opted against signing Denis Suarez on a permanent deal this summer after a disastrous loan spell in north London.
The Spaniard has since joined Celta Vigo.
No.23
Danny Welbeck was also released last month, freeing up the no.23 shirt which has been worn by the likes of Sol Campbell, Nicklas Bendtner and Andrei Arshavin in the past.
No.32
Chuba Akpom's move to Greek side PAOK means the number is available for any new signings.
No.33
Petr Cech first wore the number following his move from Chelsea but he switched to No.1 ahead of last season.
