Arsenal Transfer News: Joel Campbell Dismisses Exit Talk, Mauro Icardi Rumours

Arsenal forward Joel Campbell has shot down speculation that he could head for the Emirates Stadium exit this summer, while reports from Italy have said Arsenal have invited Inter's Mauro Icardi to discuss a deal.

Campbell found it difficult to crack manager Arsene Wenger's starting XI last season, but he took to his official website this week to dismiss talk of a departure this summer (h/t TalkSport):

"

I have had a good holiday and now I am happy to train, to return strong, to prepare myself well in this pre-season for the new campaign for which I have high expectations and I will fight with everything to have the opportunity to play and to show what I can give.

Last season was my first full season with the team from start to finish and to me it was a very productive time, I played 30 games and that was very important for me and made me mature a lot. 

I could show what I'm made of, and at last the team and the fans were happy with what I have done.

There are always rumours, but I don't talk about those things. I focus on doing my thing, which is to train day to day, to fight and to try to give my best.

"

While the Costa Rica international was eager to talk up the 2015-16 season as his most prominent with the Gunners to date, Campbell started in only 21 of his 31 appearances, just 11 of which came in the Premier League.

Simon Collings of Hayters Sports Agency recently praised the forward's quality and adjudged that it would be an error on Arsenal's part if they were to sell their versatile attacker this summer:

Campbell has impressed with his national team and showed signs of promise during loan spells with Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal in recent years, but Wenger doesn't appear to be among his greatest supporters.

According to Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo (h/t Liam Spence of the Daily Express), Valencia have already made enquiries regarding the player's availability, with AC Milan also said to be interested.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Meanwhile, the representative of Inter striker Icardi is understood to have been invited for a sit-down with the Gunners regarding a potential switch to north London.

Italian broadcaster SportMediaset (h/t Sport Witness) reported that Wanda Nara, the agent and wife of Icardi, has kicked up quite a stir at the San Siro, and Arsenal may hope to take advantage. Ed Malyon of the Mirror backed up those reports:

Speculation has grown at the San Siro that the Nerazzurri captain could head for the exit this summer, and with Arsenal seeking competition for incumbent frontman Olivier Giroud, Icardi could be a worthy investment.

In time, Icardi could even come to take his spot as a replacement for Giroud, and WhoScored.com recently compared and contrasted the statistics of the two players:

Sport Witness provided quotes from Nara in a recent interview she gave to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in which she said Inter "don’t want to sell Icardi."

That being said, a small circus appears to be emerging around her and her husband's situation in Milan, although it's uncertain as to whether Wenger would be the kind to wilfully take that distraction on.