Arsenal preparing to shift enigmatic striker on permanent basis
Published:
Problems with gaining a work permit placed Joel Campbell’s Arsenal career on the back foot from the word go, and now the Costa Rican forward could be heading to Spain four years later as a virtual unknown to Gunners fans.
Despite not starting a single Premier League match since joining the Londoners in the summer of 2011, former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes has come in with a £6m bid for Campbell’s services, according to the Mirror.
The 23-year-old spent three separate season-long loans in France, Spain and Turkey’s top flights before being farmed out back to La Liga in January due to a lack of opportunities at the Emirates in 2014/15.
He hasn’t travelled on Arsenal’s Asia Tour implying Campbell was always destined to become part of a purge by Arsene Wenger this summer, as the Frenchman looks to shuffle his squad in preparation for a concerted Premier League title bid – rated at 5/1 by Ladbrokes.
Moyes will be hoping Campbell can provide some of the spark he showcased when scoring against his former club United in the Champions League for Galatasaray, during the Scotsman’s ill-fated Old Trafford stint.
Lukas Podolski was another to be sent out on loan to Inter last season by Wenger and the German has now opted to join Galatasaray on a permanent basis, after enduring mixed fortunes in north London.
Yaya Sanogo, will also turn out for Ajax on loan next season rather than fight for his place at Arsenal, with Wenger hoping his young countryman can realise some of the potential in Holland which failed to materialise after his move from Auxerre.
This clearout of attacking personnel certainly leaves plenty of room for the purchase of a world-class striker to supplement Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck as the only recognised first-team centre-forwards now available.
However, until a deal gets over the line the sense of deja vous will be a foreboding one for Gooners.
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