SkySports.com is reporting that Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign 19-year-old Costa Rica striker, Joel Campbell for a fee thought to be £1million. In today’s transfer market, £1million is not a lot of money at all and it is a gamble Arsene Wenger has taken which may just pay off. Just look at what Manchester United did when they signed Chicharito, very few people knew of him but he has gone on to be a good striker.
Hopefully the same came happen to Campbell who played at Deporivo Saprissa in Costa Rica but has only managed to make 3 appearances for that club. Clearly he does not have a lot of experience but he must have bags of talent for a club like ours to be interested in him. Wenger has had a knack of signing these no name players in the past and some have come on to shine at Arsenal whilst some have flopped.
To highlight Campbell’s potential, he was named in Costa Rica’s 2011 Copa America squad. The striker is set to take part in the U20 World Cup later this month, giving him another opportunity to impress.
Now Campbell is thought not to be joining Arsenal straight away as the Gunners are likely to send him out on loan as he has not played in 75 per cent of Costa Rica’s games, which means getting a work permit for him will not be possible at this stage.
What are your thoughts about this deal? I know it is not the marquee summer signing we want but is it a good move for the future or are you tired of Wenger continually buying these no name kids and hoping they succeed?
Click here to see a video of Joel Campbell