After a number of impressive displays at this year’s Copa America, a number of media outlets claim that Arsenal are interested in 19-year-old Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell – a player who has played just three professional games (two in the weak domestic Costa Rican league) and our interested is purportedly off the back of his 12 goals in 18 games for the national team, with only five caps at senior level – however, Campbell is very highly rated with national team manager Ricardo La Volpe singing his praises in eccentric style:
“Who is Messi? Who is Neymar? Gentlemen of the press – I present to you: Campbell. I discovered him playing with cans.”
credit to FIFA & Jason O'Brien
What’s his pedigree?: As previously mentioned, Campbell has only played three domestic games for his club Deportivo Saprissa (the biggest club in Central America) and this is the real worry as although international form has been excellent he is still unproven across a league season. 5’11″, left-footed forward Campbell had this to say about his style:
How’s the chemistry?: English-speaking Campbell can play anywhere across the front three and seems a born finisher in the face of goal – despite saying he’s not like Samuel Eto’o they have a very similar style of direct running with a neat end product and this predatory nature has earnt Campbell the nickname ‘El Pantera’ (the panther) in his native Costa Rica. Campbell is certainly not a marquee signing and there are still real question marks over whether or not he will ever break into the first team – this transfer is for the future as opposed to bolstering our team (in defence) for the current season. Campbell has not played in 75 percent of Costa Rica’s matches in the last two years and would therefore not qualify for a work permit to play in England until at least 2012 (unless we are granted special dispensation) so a Ryo Miyaichi-esque loan abroad seems likely.
Do we have a chance?: According to Costa Rican news outlets, Arsenal have proposed a fee of $1.5 million (£930,000) with a five-year-deal for Campbell and many sources state the signing is complete – however, we are more sceptical after the Ricky Alvarez debacle. Arsenal chief scout for CONCACAF Richard Law is in contact with Campbell according to his agent Joel Batica:
“I have been in contact for several months with an Arsenal scout who works in Central and North America… I talked to the scout who reported to Wenger and the interest grew little by little, because Arsene Wenger initially was unaware of the player. Now the interest is high from the Arsenal and we are here.”
Campbell himself takes nothing for granted but is optimistic about his supposed future at Arsenal, as are we:
Who would not want to play for Arsenal? That’s what I work for but as yet nothing is clear. I am calm: I leave everything in God’s hands.”
Likely bid: $1.5 million. Probability: 9/10, this transfer looks all but done.
Compilation 1
Compilation 2
Goal vs Cuba
Goal vs Bolivia
UPDATE 17/07/11: Deportivo Saprissa have confirmed that Campbell will sign for the above price with the chairman saying the transfer will be “very beneficial for him and for the country”. In a shock u-turn just hours after this was said, Campbell’s father Humberto told Costan Rican press that another English club had improved on our offer and so they will re-evaluate the proposed move to Arsenal. 18/07/11: It has been reported in Costa Rica that Manchester United and Dynamo Kiev have both improved on our offer for Campbell which is why negotiations have stalled, and will continue after the U-20 World Cup, which starts today. 19/07/11: In yet another twist in this transfer Campbell and his father failed to attend negotiations and Arsenal have closed the door on this move after it was apparently hijacked by the previously mentioned clubs.
