Arsenal star Joel Campbell‘s move to Real Sociedad has stalled after talks between the clubs ended without a deal being agreed, reports the Daily Star.
Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has revealed that they are interested in a move for the 23-year-old, but that negotiations have broken down. It is unknown if there are plans for the Spanish side to re-enter talks, but as things stand, the Gunners could be stuck with the Costa Rican forward for another year.
“We are interested and there were talks with Arsenal,” Aperribay said,
“But right now there are none.”
The North Londoners will want to avoid having the forward at the Emirates for another campaign, after the disappointing impact the player made last time round. Off the back of an impressive World Cup, the striker was expected to improve the side, but he ended up making just ten appearances before being farmed out on loan to Villarreal.
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There have been other sides interested in Campbell, such as Besiktas [Metro], Benfica, and Fenerbahce [both Daily Express]. This could mean that Arsene Wenger will be able to offload the player, who has been rated at £5 million by the Express.
Arsenal are in need of a top striker before the next campaign if they are going to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title.
There have often been doubts over Olivier Giroud in the biggest games, while Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell are yet to prove that they are not better used out on the wing. If they are to keep up with the Blues it is likely they will need a player on the same level as Diego Costa, who managed 20 goals in the Premier League last time round.