Arsenal Open Saprissa Talks For Campbell

Richard Law has arrived in Costa Rica ahead of negotiations with C.D. Saprissa for striker Joel Campbell.

The 19-year-old Costa Rica international is one of this summers most sought after youngsters after a hugely impressive Gold Cup campaign. A move to La Liga looked increasingly likely last month, but Arsenal have made the first move.

The pacy frontman, who can also play on the left wing, has been watched by the club on numerous occasions. Now, South America executive Law has touched down and is ready to try and do a deal. Law is in charge of Arsenal’s transfers and operations in America, and is a respected negotiator who speaks a number of different languages.

He was in Argentina last month attempting to sign Vélez Sársfield midfielder Ricardo Álvarez, but that broke down over the club’s refusal to match Inter Milan’s structured offer.

Campbell is about to enter the final year of his contact, and Saprissa are believed to value his services at around £2 million. However, Arsenal will have to move fast, as he links up with the Costa Rica Under 20 squad shortly ahead of the Under 20 World Cup. Joel had previously suggested he wanted a transfer to be concluded before then.

71 thoughts on “Arsenal Open Saprissa Talks For Campbell

  • July 15, 2011 at 1:52 pm
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    I know the club have recruited from CONCACAF before (Danny Karbassiyoon), but other than Vela, I can’t remember the last time we bought a player from that region.

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    • July 15, 2011 at 2:35 pm
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      Frankie Simek?

  • July 15, 2011 at 1:56 pm
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    Hmmm interesting. Any idea of height and playing style Jamie?

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  • July 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm
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    Enough with these signings, I’m tired of these promising prospects. If Wenger can’t bring proven players, he should resign!!! No value for money at Arsenal, paying the highest tickets to see a team of under-achievers.

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    • July 15, 2011 at 5:59 pm
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      Loyal Gooner my ass!

      Wenger has said countless times over the past two months that he plans to purchase an experienced defender or two, among others…Gervinho was the first of those.

      So, if we pick up a Jenkinson or a Campbell for good money, how is that going to hurt us? If they’re shit we’ll still get our moolah back on their resale, if they’re good they’ll step into our squad…and if they’re as promising as the scouts suggest, they’ll push our current first team to perform almost immediately (both being 19).

      I’ll reiterate; loyal gooner my ass!

    • July 15, 2011 at 6:56 pm
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      you do realise the point of this site? players j reports on here are young, first and foremost. nowhere is there any criteria for experience. most players mentioned are either for the youth team or reserves that COULD be first teamers eventually, but rarely immediately. i think your not gonna find the type of news you’re looking for here. maybe time to look elsewhere?

    • July 17, 2011 at 9:21 am
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      Yes, we are tired of promising prospects like Wilshere, Ramsey and Szczesny…

  • July 15, 2011 at 2:02 pm
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    If we’re signing him and he’s 19 already, will he be sniffing around the first team this season in the cups?

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  • July 15, 2011 at 2:02 pm
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    Will this be another signing that has work permit issues?

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  • July 15, 2011 at 2:03 pm
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    whats the point? He wont get a work permit so he will sent on loan for two or three years and he wont be given a chance at arsenal because by the time he is ready we already have another 4, 19 year old strikers going for 1 spot. whats the point?, really.

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    • July 15, 2011 at 2:06 pm
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      Think this one will get a work permit mate. He has played quite a bit at international youth level and also for the first team. Should get a special talent visa like Denilson and the Da Silva twins got.

    • July 15, 2011 at 2:09 pm
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      Yeah what’s the point in signing young talent like Miyaichi when they can’t come straight into the first team where they would have to play reserve fixtures instead of top division football.

    • July 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm
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      I don’t suppose the club have too many complaints about bringing in both Cesc and Van Persie before any big clubs were interested.

      It is low risk, either they make it at Arsenal or they are sold on most probably for a profit. Why is that a problem?

    • July 16, 2011 at 12:06 pm
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      I’m not sure that people realised my sarcasm. I was pointing out that playing top division football in Holland is better than reserve football in England.

  • July 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm
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    Joel campbell is a full international. So i guess he won’t have issues securing his work permit.

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    • July 15, 2011 at 2:31 pm
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      Only if your national team is in the top 70 of the FIFA ranking. And he must have played 75% of the avaiable matches the last two years too automaticly gain a permit. Other than it depends on the appeal…

    • July 15, 2011 at 2:44 pm
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      Well Costa Rica are 54th I believe, probably quite a good chance of him winning the VISA.

  • July 15, 2011 at 2:14 pm
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    JS you heard anything about sebastian coates the giant 6ft 6 Nacional defender?

    I have watched him 5 times now the guy is a Tony Adams clone!

    Very elegant, commanding but with pace!

    Hes only 20 but think he could do a job for us!

    I know Man city are intrested in him!

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  • July 15, 2011 at 2:15 pm
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    Any footage anywhere guys?

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  • July 15, 2011 at 2:37 pm
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    tie this one up suun as poss….cos as said soon have bigger games to look forward too

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    • July 15, 2011 at 7:38 pm
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      ??????

  • July 15, 2011 at 2:39 pm
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    I wonder how many people the blogs can trick into hits with a headline like “Arsenal open talks with Campbell”

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  • July 15, 2011 at 3:26 pm
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    These are the signing I love. The “who” signings. These signing are what the Wenger generation aka our golden generation is built on these signings. Can’t wait to see him play here. Hopefully we snap him up.

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  • July 15, 2011 at 3:31 pm
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    i seen this guy play hes very fast and a great finisher. good at penalties /free kicks. i hate player comparisons but reminds me of a mixture of eto/henry .

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  • July 15, 2011 at 4:13 pm
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    Nice to see we are signing all these top players with bags of Premier league experiences that we need.

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    • July 15, 2011 at 4:35 pm
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      yep he looks quality. Hope we get him before others

  • July 15, 2011 at 4:29 pm
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    If they believe he can do a good job for us i say Richard Law dont come home without him or……

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  • July 15, 2011 at 4:36 pm
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    @shyster we all know too well wenger was playing poker when he said that and i sometimes wonder if he has concience

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  • July 15, 2011 at 5:32 pm
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    Ha! I knew I’d get the thumbs down for my comment! I was being tongue in cheek. If he is quick, versatile and a clinical finisher, then there’s no reason why he would not be a good addition to the club. But where does that leave vela?

    I am only concerned about us signing defensive minded players with loads of premier league experience, TBH.

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  • July 15, 2011 at 5:32 pm
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    I’m from CR and Campbell has to be one of most talented young players in Costa Rica History.He has to carry the whole CR team on his shoulders(Copa america and the Sub 20 national team) and has not disappointed us yet.

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  • July 15, 2011 at 5:35 pm
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    I’m 1 of those who advocate for ‘big names’ but i think i like this one. hope he performs as we are anticipating

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  • July 15, 2011 at 5:40 pm
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    one player he ressembles is douglas costa similar skill and technique but he is worth 15m
    would be good signing for 2m

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  • July 15, 2011 at 6:01 pm
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    Kid’s got a lot of composure in front of goal, looks like a good prospect. In Wenger We Trust. G4L!

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  • July 15, 2011 at 6:20 pm
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    Is this the same Richard Law who failed the Alvarez deal this year..?

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  • July 15, 2011 at 7:37 pm
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    he looks good, well better than bendtner or chamakh

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  • July 15, 2011 at 8:12 pm
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    more like skillful version of darren bent for 2 millions i won’t complain.
    liverpool just paid 20 millions for downing. if you are a chairman who would you trust with your money, wenger or dalglish?

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    • July 15, 2011 at 8:56 pm
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      At least Downing will make some impact for Liverpool next season, will this kid do the same for us?

    • July 17, 2011 at 11:59 am
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      You obviously have never seen Stewart Downing play. The world is still waiting for that talented left foot is his to contribute anything to the game.

  • July 15, 2011 at 8:18 pm
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    Guess no one would like J to use his sources to enlighten us on the Nas and Fab situation then judging by the rating on my latest post…
    Very wierd indeed!!!

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    • July 16, 2011 at 12:57 am
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      It’s because we don’t care right now.
      Nobody comes to youngguns to find info on the first team.

      And his links may not necessarily have much, if any, info on the first team. On a typical running day at a football club, the academy staff rarely communicate with the first team staff (being the personal banter in the canteen).
      I should know, I work for one.

      And this news isn’t from his source either, it’s all over twitter. So don’t go blaming Jamie because he doesn’t talk about the first team.

  • July 16, 2011 at 12:22 am
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    I have been watching Campbell in the Gold Cup and the Copa America and I can assure you all that this guy is the real deal. He is a great dribbler, very pacy and is a great finisher. His shooting is excellent and he can find the goal from anywhere. He has scored some great goals from distance and would be an improvement to what we already have on the wings for sure. If he goes to Arsenal, it won’t take him long to be a starter at all.

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  • July 16, 2011 at 12:24 am
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    This guy is much better than Downing and Adam Johnson I can assure you. I would even go as far as to say that he is better than Ashley Young. More end product. He can score, he can assist, he can beat his marker with ease. Instant legend in the making.

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  • July 16, 2011 at 12:50 am
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    He is a very good play. He is very talented. He would be a good signing.
    -He is very fast.
    -great dribbler
    -great finisher
    -good at free kicks
    – great at penalties
    -only 19 years old
    I have heard a lot of other great clubs are interested in him.

    Reply
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  • July 16, 2011 at 7:31 am
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    We should just pay and get him. At 2m is a big steal. He will be the new Anelka, sure. We better stop the talking and so-called negotiations and just buy him.

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  • July 16, 2011 at 9:36 am
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    i’ll tell you what interesting many newspapers are reporting that arsenal could sign lukaku,which is strange considering we are in talks with campbell.would love to INSHA’ALLAH see him in an arsenal shirt this season.would add a whole new dimention to our attack.strength,pace,force & goals

    Reply
  • July 16, 2011 at 12:49 pm
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    this is great business if we can get him for around 2 milli. just get it done fast before another club steps in.

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  • July 16, 2011 at 6:30 pm
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    Wenger should keep buying young potential. The only thing he should change is to get rid of the players who don’t make the cut and sign an established player every year. Right now we need a big burly center back. Get on it.

    Don’t stop buying these young wunderkids, just remember you need to win today.

    Reply
  • July 16, 2011 at 8:05 pm
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    Mshtq>

    Whilst obviously I’ll back Wenger’s judgement if he thinks Lukaku’s the man, I have my doubts about whether he’s anything like as good as people think. He’s still very young, very raw, and if he’s anything like Drogba, could be ten years away from his peak.

    He’s looked impressive at times, but to my mind, more in the way Miyaichi does than anything else – obviously talented, but a lot of improvement in his all-round game needed to be a starter for a team like Arsenal.

    Looking at his stats, they’re not all that impressive, but then I understand that he is used as a target man more than a goalscorer by Anderlecht, so maybe they are :)

    Anyway, it’s likely he’ll be a very good player, but how good, and how soon, is still up in the air. Depending on price, he could be a very good buy or a rather poor one.

    Reply
  • July 17, 2011 at 7:07 am
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    Oh and under a million reported! if true! great business.. swift efficient work from Mr Law..

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  • July 17, 2011 at 7:40 am
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    Whether or not Campbell joins up with the squad this season will be dependent on if he obtains a work permit. He has not played the 70% of international games required, so would have to receive a “special talent” visa.

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  • July 17, 2011 at 11:36 am
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    I’ve just read that his guy has an irish grandfather, if thats the case will he need a work permit?

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  • July 17, 2011 at 11:50 am
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    @loyal gunner…this is Young guns…about “young” players…i’m not quite sure u get that

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  • July 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm
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    The great thing about the brilliant goals he’s scored is that he made them look so easy. He reminds me a bit of asprilla so far.

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  • July 17, 2011 at 6:33 pm
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    if we get thiz kid twil be great!!!

    Reply

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