So Arsene Wenger is on the verge of his second January signing after agreeing a £13.4 million fee with Villarreal for the signature of Gabriel Paulista, with only a work permit standing in the way of the deal being wrapped up – hopefully this doesn’t prove too difficult to obtain.
But with Paulista coming in, Joel Campbell is heading the other way on loan for the remainder of the season. Reports suggest Arsenal will receive at least £700,000 in loan fees from Villarreal.
Campbell is set for his FOURTH loan spell in as many years since joining the Gunners in 2011 but the Costa Rican has revealed his excitement at joining Villarreal.
Despite being recalled back to Arsenal after an impressive World Cup campaign with Costa Rica, Campbell has struggled to gain first-team opportunities this season, starting just two games, and had been linked to other clubs prior to joining Villarreal.
His future has been clouded in doubt for the past year or so, but Wenger has reiterated that he wants to keep him at the Emirates despite not featuring regularly for Arsenal.
And although Campbell would have wanted to stamp his mark on the Arsenal side this season, he is excited at this ‘new opportunity’:
‘This means a lot to me, I am very excited with this new opportunity and I hope to sign the contract tomorrow [Sunday].
‘It is a great team and hope to take advantage of this opportunity and do my best. [It] is a huge step.
‘The Spanish league is a top one and Villarreal have a great game style and I hope to have the opportunity to demonstrate what I know.
‘[It] is a pleasure to play with them.’
Personally, I thought Campbell would’ve have been fed up of being loaned out here and there. Since his arrival to the Emirates in 2011, the Costa Rica international has only made six appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, all of which have been this season. But a work permit was not granted until July 2013, which hindered his chances at the Emirates before this date.
But Campbell is clearly not in Wenger’s plans and a loan seems the ideal solution for the remainder of the season.
Will he back at the end of the season? Yes. Will Campbell, despite Wenger wanting to keep him at the club, remain and play for us next season? I highly doubt it, unless of course Wenger gives him assurances.
I believe Joel is in his final year of contract with Arsenal, and that thee contract he is on is pretty poor. No doubt Wenger anted him to sign anew one prior to next season so he doesn’ t leave for free thos summer. Personally, I say good luck to Joel, I think he has a great footballing future and we will miss out because Wenger now acts as a businessman rather than a football manager.Good luck Joel.