Joel Campbell Contract: Latest News and Rumours on Talks with Arsenal

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Joel Campbell about a new contract with the club. The Costa Rica international had previously been linked with a move to Galatasaray, per Turkish radio station Radyospor (h/t per the Daily Telegraph).

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Arsenal Open Campbell Negotiations

Friday, Jan. 8

According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, the Gunners have offered the forward £60,000 a week to pen an extension.

“Arsene Wenger is keen to keep Campbell after being impressed by how he has taken his first-team opportunity in the last three months,” writes Veysey. 

As reported, Campbell has emerged as a useful player for the Gunners this season, particularly during a spell earlier this term when Arsenal were without Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez. He has netted two goals in 17 appearances for the north London outfit in 2015-16.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Even though the 23-year-old has been involved in the first team this season, it’d be a surprise to see Campbell agree to stay at Arsenal. After all, when the aforementioned stars are fit, not to mention the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, it’s tough to see how the forward is going to get regular minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

It’d be a shame to see Campbell consistently consigned to the substitutes bench again, or even struggling to get in the squad. He’s a very handy player to have around, with his versatility, work rate and dynamism able to give teams a different edge in attacking areas, therefore it's concerning his talent may well go to waste.

Bleacher Report UK summed up Campbell's endeavour during Arsenal's crucial 2-1 win over Manchester City earlier this season:

Having endured stints on loan at Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal, it didn’t look as though Campbell had a long-term future at the club. But after his recent cameos in the team, it finally seems as though Wenger is willing to put his faith in the Costa Rica man; it’ll be intriguing to see what role he has to play going forward.