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Report: Arsenal to take up option to extend 22-year-old’s contract
Arsenal are planning to take up the option in the contract of Daniel Ballard to ensure that he does not leave the club on a free next summer, .
Ballard has not yet made his first-team debut at the Emirates. But the 22-year-old has caught the eye of supporters over the last couple of years.
He helped Blackpool to promotion last season. And he is currently impressing in the Championship on loan with Millwall this term.
Ballard has also started to become a more prominent fixture within the Northern Ireland side.
Admittedly, it would appear that he faces an uphill battle trying to force his way into the first-team fold in North London.
Mikel Arteta has found a superb partnership in Benjamin White and Gabriel Magalhaes. Meanwhile, he also has William Saliba to come back into the fold. Saliba reportedly expects to be playing for the Gunners next term.
But Arsenal clearly see a bright future for Ballard.
that it is believed that Ballard will have his deal extended by a further two years.
The report notes that it is not yet clear whether he is set to be in the club’s long-term plans. But Arsenal are set to ensure that they can command a fee should they decide to let him go.
Arsenal must give Ballard a chance to test himself at higher level before final decision
As things stand, Ballard looks to be some way off his rivals for a centre-back spot at Arsenal.
But he has impressed at almost every level so far in his career. So he should arguably get a chance at that next step before Arsenal make a final decision on his long-term future.
If he can impress at the very top of the Championship, or even elsewhere in the Premier League, Arteta may have to consider giving him an opportunity.