How Dani Ceballos performs during his loan spell at Arsenal may affect whether Real Madrid attempt to sign Paul Pogba next summer, claims transfer expert Duncan Castles.
Ceballos will spend this season on loan with the Gunners after being told he would not be part of Zinedine Zidane's squad at the Bernabeu.
And Castles believes Ceballos having a good campaign could mean he returns to Real next summer as a key part of the midfield.
Therefore, he says, Real may not have space to sign Pogba from Manchester United.
“You have to factor in things like Dani Ceballos, who has already I think demonstrated his qualities in his first full game for Arsenal," Castles told the Transfer Window Podcast.
“Zidane did not want Ceballos in the squad in the sense that Ceballos was pushing for regular playing time and Zidane felt he couldn't give him that.
“He was hoping to sell the player and Florentino Perez's position was 'we do not sell a player of this quality, I'll allow him to go on loan for a season to a top club, to get him playing time, but there will be no option to buy in that deal, because I know how good the player is'.
“If Ceballos continues the way he has started at Arsenal and in the fashion that a lot of people expect him to perform at Arsenal, then he is obviously going to be a strong candidate to go back to Madrid in a year's time and be a key player in their midfield next season.
“In which case you would have to ask the question if someone like Pogba is necessary or not.”
Pogba is linked with a move to Real Madrid with the La Liga transfer window open until September 2.
However, United are not willing to sell the 26-year-old as they would not be able to replace him.