Arsenal: 6 Cut-Price Transfers to Fill Dani Ceballos’ Boots

Dominik Szoboszlai – £24m

Dominik Szoboszlai is the worst-kept secret in the world of football. Despite the fact that his name is a journalist’s – and probably even an English scholar’s – nightmare, he’s a very well-known name among those entrenched in football, and has been a constant link to most top clubs for two years now.

Arsenal, as a struggling top side, are often the front runner in the tabloids, a rumor that’s hardly discouraged by the many Arsenal fans who keep his name perennially on their lips. I myself wrote about him in a transfer piece, touting him as the perfect successor for Mesut Özil. Amazingly, he’s shown himself more versatile than I could have expected at the time, and I believe he could fit perfectly into the Ceballos role.

His £24m release clause is an Andy-Robertson-for-£8m level of bargain. His market value is currently hovering around £30-35m, and with 12 goals and 18 assists from last term, it’s easy to see why. Even if a North London move halved that tally, he would still better Ceballos’ record of two apiece.

Pros of Signing Szoboszlai

For one, he’s comfortable in central midfield, as proven by this season, where he shifted in from his position wide left to become the glue of the title-winning RB Salzburg. He’s central to just about everything to do, and it’s clear why. He’s fantastically two-footed, almost to a Cazorla-esque standard.

He’s fast, strong, tall, and his ball-striking is honestly spellbinding. He’s also a set-piece wizard, with three free-kick goals to his name this season and he combines innovation and improvisation with a steely resolve and diehard work rate. We could hardly ask for more.

While I believe his skillset and personality would both translate well into the Premier League, it’s his quiet confidence which stands out most of all. He’s not brash or loud in his celebrations, nor does he trend towards the unsportsmanlike as so many young talents do. The 19-year-old simply readies himself to work his tail off as soon as the game resumes.

And as a part of any RB team, he’s experienced in working in – and thankfully leading – a high-pressing, high-octane system. Arteta asks a lot of his midfielders, and it’s paramount that any creative force can last long enough for him to implement his hold on the game. No issues for Szoboszlai though.

I can honestly say, I’ve never seen a talent that excites me as much as Szoboszlai. Not because I haven’t seen better, but because he’s a realistic transfer who could immediately impact the club’s fortunes for quite literally a generation. You don’t find many, if any, players like that.

Cons of Signing Szoboszlai

To plainly state the obvious, he has never played outside of Austria. His move to AC Milan fell through along with the Ralf Rangnik deal, and he missed out on some serious top flight experience. There will surely be an adjustment period. It won’t be easy.

But when he does find his feet, and find them he will, the kid will be a force to be reckoned with. Wherever he ends up, remember the name.

Now, of course, the best replacement for Dani Ceballos would be…. Dani Ceballos on a permanent deal. Finances and players willing, Arsenal have the tools to make that happen. But in the unfortunate case that it doesn’t, allow this list to serve as the type of player who we might sign instead.