Costa Rican international star Joel Campbell is the subject of a loan enquiry from AC Milan, who are looking to add attacking quality to their depleted squad this season.
Not part of immediate plans
With the young forward yet to play for the Gunners, it is thought that he may be shipped out on loan, after Arsène Wenger admitted to the player that he is not part of the clubs immediate plans.
Since signing for the North London team in 2011, Campbell has spent time at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiacos in a bid to obtain his work permit to play in England.
Filling the void
Even though the player has joined up with his current Arsenal teammates for the traditional training camp in Austria, Italian website gianlucadimarzio.com believe that his future depends on the Gunners’ pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk forward Douglas Costa.
Milan are looking to replace departing striker Robinho and have identified Campbell as a good value, high potential signing that can fill the void left by the Brazilian.
It is unknown as to whether Arsenal would look to use their prodigy as bait in any deal for Italian enigma Mario Balotelli, who has been linked with the club all summer.
Fight for his place
There have been multiple indications that Campbell will stay at the club and fight for his place next season. Arsène Wenger told French television that,
“He will definitely come back to us for pre-season. He is maturing well.”
In addition to this, there has been a tweet from the player himself wearing Gibbs’ old number 28 training shirt, entitled with the caption ‘focused on my dreams.’
After a successful World Cup in Brazil, Campbell is hot property on the transfer market and will have plenty of suitors if the club reveals that he is surplus to requirements.
A loan abroad is the end
Although not proven in the Premier League, putting the Costa Rican on loan abroad again would likely signal the end of his Arsenal career.
If Wenger is serious about moulding him into a forward for the club, he would be better off making the player stay in England to get used to the culture and lifestyle, with a focus on playing for the Gunners in the foreseeable future.
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