His intention was to remain with us: Mikel Arteta speaks on Dani Ceballos future

Ceballos returned to Real Madrid after the win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Arsenal and Betis are believed to be the main competitors for his signing.

The boss would like to keep the midfielder but says a lot will depend on Real Madrid's stance.

During the pre-Liverpool press conference, Mikel Arteta was asked whether the board are making efforts to extend Dani Ceballos' loan deal.

"Well, we have some talks and Dani knows really well what I think about him," the boss replied as quoted by the official club's website.

"He was pretty clear with me as well that his intention was to remain with us but obviously Real Madrid is involved and I don’t know yet what they want to do with the player.

"But he’s a player that we are interested in because we really saw, in the last few months of the season, what he is capable of bringing to us."

The 24-year-old is on the crossroads in his career. Last season, he repeatedly expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid and fulfil his dreams there.

But Zinedine Zidane seems to have other plans and doesn't see Dani as a part of his squad. Now, the 24-year-old will have to decide his next move as he seeks regular minutes to make the Spain squad for Euro 2020 and Olympics postponed for next summer.

Arsenal are set to compete with Ceballos' boyhood club Betis for his signing. Mundo Deportivo has already spread rumours that Dani has asked Los Blancos to loan him out to the La Liga side.

But that report doesn't sound very much credible. Unless Ceballos openly confirms his preference to go there we have every chance of getting him for another year.

A few days ago, the Spaniard dropped a hint over a possible return to the Emirates as he sent birthday wishes to Joe Willock.