Reputable Costa Rican website EverardoHerrera reports that Arsenal executive Richard Law has arrived in Costa Rica to negotiate the signing of 19-year old striker Joel Campbell.
The following video shows Richard Law arriving in Costa Rica to meet with the player’s representatives:
[video on site]
For the non-Spanish speakers among you, the agent says something like:
“When you have to know what has happened, or what didn’t happen, then we’ll speak. I don’t want to speak too soon, in a hurry. That’s all I can say at the moment. If we are here, it’s because there is interest, of course. OK?”*
Law plays an increasingly prominent part in Arsenal’s transfer negotiations - more so than Chief Exec Ivan Gazidis. It was Law who travelled to South America to negotiate a deal for Ricky Alvarez, only for the player to choose Inter at the last moment.
So what of Campbell? Well, he’s a 19-year old left-footed centre-forward, nicknamed “The Panther”, who can also operate on the flanks. His pace, movement, and finishing ability have seen him likened to Manchester United’s Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, and he has been one of the stars of Costa Rica’s Copa America campaign, scoring and assisting in their 2-0 win over Bolivia.
It is this performance that has probably firmed up Arsenal’s interest. Prior to the tournament, Campbell was heavily linked with clubs in La Liga and Serie A. Now it seems Arsenal have made their move.
With Nicklas Bendtner seeming slowly dragging his feet towards the exit, Arsenal are in need of another striker, as both Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho will be absent in January due to the African Nations Cup.
Campbell’s club, Saprissa, are keen for a deal to be agreed as the player’s contract expires in 2012. Campbell himself would like to tie up any move before Costa Rica’s U-20 World Cup campaign begins in Colombia on July 31st.
Here’s a video of the lad in action:
http://gunnerblog.com/?p=2881Although this guys posts are reminiscent of what you'd find on twitter or arserumours