At the back of a very successful World Cup campaign with Costa Rica, Joel Campbell attracted interests from clubs in and around Europe.

Portuguese media even suggested that an outline fee had been agreed between Arsenal and Benfica in summer before the deal collapsed.

It’s believed that Arsene Wenger didn’t mind letting the 22-year-old leave the Emirates Stadium on a permanent deal, but was insistent that Arsenal brought down an upgrade to him before responding to Benfica and other interested parties.

With Danny Welbeck’s transfer going through only in the eleventh hour, there was no time to consider letting him leave.

 The Costa Rican winger is understandably upset about his limited playing time under Arsene Wenger and has expressed his discontent time and again. Speaking to Record in September, he hinted that he had wanted to move to Benfica in summer.

"There were talks with Benfica, but it didn't come to anything. Now I just want to play well and win my place at Arsenal, although I know it will not be easy."

Benfica are now believed to have reopened transfer talks with Arsenal but uncertainty hovers over Estadio da Luz if they can sign Joel Campbell. As Lukas Podolski has already departed and Yaya Sanogo’s loan deal to Crystal Palace is looking likely, chances are little that Arsene Wenger would set him free this winter.