Mikel Arteta could be on the brink of securing another key signing for his Arsenal squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Dani Ceballos impressed under Arteta last season, but with his loan deal at an end, the midfielder returned to parent club Real Madrid, with whom he has been training this week.
However, it looks like Ceballos is set to return to north London for another loan spell.
According to a report by the Guardian on Monday night, Arteta called the 24-year-old to convince him it would be best for him to return to the Premier League for another year.
The report goes on to add that Arsenal have already submitted three offers to the La Liga champions in their attempts to renew his loan but it is expected that Real Madrid will allow him to return to London for another season.
And below is a look at what Ceballos has previously said about returning to Arsenal this summer.
"I've felt very comfortable at this club from the beginning," he told Sky Sports back in July.
"The fans accepted me very well and my team-mates made everything easy for me. I don't regret my decision to come to Arsenal in any way."
Before adding on the rumours linking him with an early return to Real Madrid: "Of course, when you get an injury and you don't play, you start to get a few doubts.
"But I spoke to the mister and we agreed find a way forward together. He told me he knew me very well and that he had followed me a lot in Spain. He supported me a lot."
While even speaking then, Ceballos was certainly open to the idea of staying at Arsenal beyond the end of this season.
"Right now, I'm only thinking about the next games because if we win them, we have some chance of qualifying for the Europa League," he said.
"After that, I have to be calm. I have to return to Real Madrid and they have to make a decision because I have a contract there for the next three years.
"Once I know their decision, I will sit down with my family and the people close to me and see what's best for me next year.
"But the truth is I'm very happy at Arsenal. It's a club in which I already have a year of experience, so it would be very easy to return. I wouldn't have to adapt to a new league or new club with a different manager and players.
"I think it would be a good step for me. But like I said, my future depends on Real Madrid and right now I don't know their decision."
Before adding on his relationship with Arteta: "I love his way of seeing the game and the things he likes about football. .
"The mister is very intelligent for such a young coach. It's like he has spent a whole lifetime in football before this one.
"He knows a lot about various aspects of the game and he works well tactically. It's also clear that he has spent a lot of time with Pep Guardiola because he has a lot of the same characteristics as him.
"I think he's a manager who is going to be among the best in the world in the future."
