Dani Ceballos insists he wants to return to Real Madrid once his second season on loan at Arsenal comes to an end.
The Spain midfielder played a crucial role for the Gunners last season on their way to a record 14th FA Cup triumph, and returned for a second straight loan spell at the Emirates Stadium in September after making 37 appearances for the club in 2019/20.
However, the 24-year-old has been less influential and more inconsistent this campaign and before the 4-0 win at West Brom at the weekend had started just two of the previous five Premier League matches.
And when asked if a third stint temporarily away from the Santiago Bernabeu would be an option, Ceballos said his aim is to return to his parent club and become a key part of their squad.
'A third year on loan? No, my goal is to return to Real Madrid and be important at the best club in the world,' Ceballos told Spanish radio show El Larguero.
'I believe that one day I will come back and be able to return the affection that the fans showed me.
'For various reasons, I didn't leave the club in the best manner.'
A return to the Spanish champions would see Ceballos - who joined Madrid from Real Betis in 2017 - reintegrated into Zinedine Zidane's squad, with previous comments and reports over the last couple of years having suggested a frosty relationship between the pair.
After the Frenchman departed the club in the summer of 2018, Ceballos stated had he stayed he would have looked for a move away, but appeared to back-track on his comments and said there is no one better suited for the role of Madrid boss nearly two years on from his re-appointment.
'The arrival of Zidane was great news for Real Madrid,' Ceballos continued. 'I think there is no better manager for Madrid than him.'
Zidane also denied any rumours of a rift in 2019 following the announcement of Ceballos' first loan to Arsenal.
'No, it's not that I did not get along with Dani Ceballos that he left the team,' Zidane said.
'I think he needed a lot more playing time because he's an important player.
'It's true that at Real, he did not have enough minutes, that's all. There are a lot of players here, a lot of competition.
'I wish him to play many games and do well with his new team, Arsenal.'
