Valencia want Arsenal loanee to strengthen their squad

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos might cut his loan spell at Arsenal short to join his homeland club Valencia, if reports in Spain are to be believed. 

The 23-year-old Spanish international has featured in 18 games for the Gunners this season. However, he has not featured since early November since he suffered a hamstring injury. 

The season-long loan deal has not gone according to plans for the Spaniard who was signed from Real Madrid by Unai Emery in the summer. 

As per reports in Spain, the 23-year-old is keen on a return to his homeland. The Real Madrid midfield ace is wanted by Valencia on a loan deal. The player is also believed to be interested in a move to the Mestalla Stadium. 

Ceballos made a strong early impression in front of the Arsenal fans with his man-of-the-match performance against Burnley on August 17, providing both assists and running the show. 

But a hamstring injury in November ruled him out of 11 matches and Emery also faced the axe later that month. 

Since his compatriot Mikel Arteta arrived at the hot seat, the new boss has repeatedly said Ceballos is not yet at his full fitness to play in his high-intensity system. 

The report states that Ceballos has declared that he is fully fit but Arteta wants more sharpness in the Spanish playmaker. 

And that was evident on Monday night when Arteta opted to start Joe Willock in the No10 in the FA Cup win at Bournemouth. Ceballos did come off the bench, replacing Nicolas Pepe with 20 minutes to go. 

However, the Spaniard looked far from his former self in the few minutes he played. 

Despite the apparent lack of opportunities for Ceballos at the Emirates, Arteta has recently stated that he wants the 23-year-old to fight to earn his place back. 

He said: "I had a conversation with Dani. 

"When I joined the club he wasn't here, he was in Madrid because he was doing his rehab for over a month with the team that owns him. 

"When I came here he was doing his rehab in the first two or three weeks, getting back to fitness, and I haven't seen much of him because he only trained with us for a week or ten days. 

"It's very early to assess what I can or cannot do with him. I heard about all those things but I have nothing to comment." 

It is believed that Ceballos wants to play on a weekly basis as the Euro 2020 is knocking on the door and he is desperate to make the Spain squad for the tournament. He, however, is unsure of the chances he will get by staying at Arsenal.

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