Arsenal are “confident” of extending Dani Ceballos’s loan deal at the club, according to the Evening Standard. The midfielder is due to return to Real Madrid at the end of June but with football matches having been suspended, the season could continue beyond that date.

The Gunners do not have an option to buy the Spanish international, and with that being the case, the London club will have to ask Real permission to extend his stay at the Emirates.

Ceballos did look destined to return to Spain in the January transfer window after struggling to get game time under Mikel Arteta but he had become a regular starter before the enforced break.

The 23-year-old started the last three Premier League games against Newcastle, Everton and West Ham, and was having an increasingly influential role in the side.

Even if his loan is extended, though, there remain doubts over whether Ceballos will be interested in a permanent move, with the Standard also revealing a purchase option was not included at the player’s behest.