Posts filed under '2004-2011'
July 19th, 2011
Hello all. Just a quick one from me to let you know that there’s no need to stay up all night checking Costa Rican websites hoping to see news of an Arsenal signing. Striker Joel Campbell’s move has hit a snag and will be held up.
Despite undergoing a medical attended by Arsenal officials at a local hospital, the player’s father has now said they will wait until after his participation in the U-20 World Cup before making any decision. He said:
“We have decided we will not sign anything yet; we expect to finish the World Cup to for Joel to go and play calmly and without pressure, then see what happens.
The offer from Arsenal remains on the table – we are not saying no, we are asking for time.”
Rather unfortunately, Humberto Campbell’s decision comes amidst rumours of rival interest from Spain, Russia, and England. It seems Richard Law will now return to England without the player’s signature.
The earliest date Campbell could be free from his international duty is 6th August. If Costa Rica do well in the competition, he could be at the tournament until 20th August.
In my opinion there are two possible reasons for the decision to delay: the first is that they are waiting to see if Arsenal can be successful in their application for a special talent visa. The second, and unfortunately more likely, is that they’re hoping that a good showing in Colombia will enable them to demand more money from Arsenal or a string of other suitors.
Whilst we’ve clearly tried to get this deal sewn up as swiftly as possible, it is in the interests of the player and his representatives to drag it out. I’ve enjoyed bringing you all updates on this transfer, but it seems like any imminent activity is unlikely.
The Denilson to Sao Paulo deal, however, does appear to have been tied up. Night all.
July 18th, 2011
At long last, Arsenal have completed their first major signing of the summer, with Gervinho finally officially an Arsenal player.
The player is made up about the move, saying:
“It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this Club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.
I’m very happy to have the chance to work with Arsène Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I’m playing.”
There’s a more in-depth interview with the player on the shiny new Arsenal Player, in which the player acknowledges he is likely to have to undergo a period of adaptation:
“I enjoyed adapting to the French league. I know English football is harder and I might need more time at the start, but ultimately it’s up to me to adapt.”
He’s been training at London Colney for a week now, and all being well will travel with the squad to face FC Cologne on Saturday.
Whether or not Gervinho will be joined in the attacking ranks by Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell remains to be seen. The move was due to be tied up yesterday, but late interest from another Premier League club threatened to put a spanner in the works.
It seems, however, that we remain firmly in the driving seat. Arseblog News has the following quotes from the player’s father:
“I thought it be decided yesterday but we need to review some points in the contract.
It’s a question of looking at what they’re offering and making sure everything is ok. If so, he will sign with Arsenal.”
The player himself, meanwhile, commented to La Nacion about Arsenal’s interest:
“Well, it’s a dream, a great opportunity. But I have not signed and I keep quiet.
Thank God there are several offers and we are considering them all. If I go to Arsenal or not is decided according to what best suits my interests.
I am also clear that to play in Europe, we need a work permit. And we’re waiting to finalize details like that, before making a final decision.”
The Arsenal delegation remain in Costa Rica working on the deal – there should be more news this evening.
As Campbell considers crossing the Atlantic to join Arsenal, midfielder Denilson is heading in the other direction to return to Sao Paulo on loan. Although the player called it “more than a dream come true” on his official twitter account, it’s hardly a step forward for the player, who had hoped to move to Spain or Italy. In fact, rather typically for Denilson, it’s a move at best sideways, probably backwards. It seems he burnt his bridges rather with his comments at the back end of last season, and has had to take the only concrete offer on the table.
Arsene has spoken out again about the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. It’s obvious to me that their destinies are intertwined: the club won’t countenance losing both, so one is free to go only if the other remains.
This week will be crucial. Arsene is now back at Colney with both Nasri and Fabregas. With huge fixtures as soon as the season kicks off, we cannot afford to have these lingering doubts drag on beyond the start of August, especially when it comes to our captain.
If Barca don’t stump up the money soon, we’ll have the declare that Cesc is off the market – whether he likes it or not.
July 17th, 2011
The father of Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell has told Costa Rican sports website Al Dia that the player’s club have agreed a deal with Arsenal worth $1.5m (£930,000).
Humberto Campbell says that the deal will be finalised today (Sunday), with Saprissa set for a final meeting with Arsenal’s envoy, Richard Law. Campbell has agreed a five-year contract, including provision for him to wear his preferred number 12 shirt – currently unoccupied at Arsenal.
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.
Having followed the deal all week on Gunnerblog, I’d be quite pleased if this went ahead. That said, it’s a punt on a prodigy rather than proven talent. More reliable reinforcements will be needed if we’re going to be a force this coming season.
Hopefully Saprissa themselves, who are yet to make serious comment on the story, will soon confirm a deal has been reached.
–
Update 02.17 (Uk-time)
In the last few minutes, Costa Rican radio station ADN Radio have interviewed the president of Deportivo Saprissa, Juan Carlos Rojas, who has confirmed that the club have reached an “agreement in principal” with Arsenal.
Rojas called it a “historic agreement” for Costa Rica and Saprissa, and said that whilst the club had been offered more money by other clubs, Arsenal’s stature made this the right move for Joel.
He finished by saying that assuming personal terms are agreed, a deal could be finalised in the next 24 hours.
Right – off to bed!
July 16th, 2011
Morning all from a very rainy London. In about 45 minutes time, Arsenal will kick off a friendly against Chinese outfit Hangzhou Greentown. Apparently weather conditions there are much the same – according to journalist John Cross, it’s so bad the roof is leaking.
Nevertheless, I’m sure the Chinese fans will be in good spirits. The degree of support we’ve seen from fans born thousands of miles away has been really heartwarming. They also put our British banner-making skills to shame. Have a butchers at this rather spectacular offering:
Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph has just announced the starting XI as:
(4-3-3): Mannone; Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Traore; Rosicky, Frimpong, Nasri; Vela, Van Persie, Arshavin
It’ll be interesting to see how Samir Nasri equips himself amid all the speculation about his future. Roberto Mancini has spoken to Sky Sports about City’s interest in the player, saying:
“Samir is under contract with Arsenal. Also for Samir it depends on many things.
I don’t know if an offer has been made in this moment, I don’t know the situation but for Nasri it is difficult.
I hope that we can buy because we need other players and I hope that this player can arrive before the end of the month.”
To me, it’s clear that the “many things” the deal depends on are the forty million pounds Barcelona will have to stump up to sign Cesc Fabregas. If Cesc stays, Nasri will probably go. If Cesc goes, we need Nasri. It’s as simple as that. City will have to bide their time until any negotiations with Barcelona are concluded, one way or the other.
I’m also intrigued to see whether not Denilson is involved at all today, with ESPN Brazil reporting that he’s on the verge of a loan deal with his former club Sao Paulo. According to the reports, he’s due to undergo a medical on Monday, so he may have left the China tour already.
Finally, an update on the Joel Campbell story we brought you yesterday. The latest from the Costa Rican press is that a pair of Italian agents have brought offers to Campbell’s club from Juventus, Rubin Kazan, and the club who’ve signed Roberto Carlos and are tracking Neymar, FC Anzhi Makhachkala. These offers would not only be more lucrative, but would also allow Campbell to join up straight away rather than have to go out on loan, which he may have to do if he joins Arsenal.
Much will depend on the success of Arsenal’s application for a special talent visa. It’s clear however that our interest is based on more than one flashy performance in the Copa America. The player’s agent, Joel Batica, has said:
“I have been in contact for several months with an Arsenal scout who works in Central and North America.
I have a partner who also worked with and knows Arsene Wenger very well and we were running things from both sides. I talked to the scout who reported to Wenger and the interest grew little by little, because Arsene Wenger initially was unaware of the player.
Now the interest is high from the Arsenal and we are here.”
Richard Law remains in Costa Rica attempting to strike a deal.
Right, off to watch our game on Arsenal Player. If you’re not a subscriber, follow me on twitter for updates.
July 15th, 2011
“Who is Messi? Who is Neymar? Gentlemen of the press – I present to you: Campbell. I discovered him playing with cans.”
Ricardo La Volpe, Costa Rica manager
Costa Rica’s promising striker Joel Campbell has spoken out about the story Gunnerblog brought you this morning: the transfer negotiations between Arsenal and his club Saprissa. Campbell says:
“I have to handle things calmly and wait for the opportunity. Who would not want to play for Arsenal? That’s what I work for but as yet nothing is clear. I am calm: I leave everything in God’s hands.”
God and, of course, Arsenal executive Richard Law, who is currently in Costa Rica attempting to strike a deal amid rumours of interest from Spain’s big two, Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Fiorentina, Lazio and Atalanta in Italy.
So just who is this 19-year old striker? Well he comes highly recommended by former Mexico and Boca Juniors manager, and current Costa Rica boss, Ricardo La Volpe, who said of the prodigy:
“Who is Messi? Who is Neymar? Gentlemen of the press – I present to you: Campbell. I discovered him playing with cans.”
La Volpe is being unduly theatrical. But if Campbell does move to the Premier League this summer, it will signal a remarkable rise.
The name ‘Campbell’ will be familiar to Arsenal fans – messrs Sulzir and Kevin have worn it on the back of their shirts before. In an interview with FIFA.com, Campbell explained his nominative origins:
“I was born in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, although my family is from the English-speaking area of Limon, which explains my surname, and I’m the third of four children.”
A virtual unknown at the start of the year, the lightening-quick striker rose to prominence after a series of outstanding performances at the CONCACAF qualifying competition for the Under 20 World Cup which will take place in August.
His direct style has drawn comparisons with Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o. Campbell describes his own style thus:
“I’m clever, fast and good on the ball, though I think I’m at my best in one-on-one situations.
Ronaldo has always been my idol and role model but I don’t think I’m like him, Eto’o or anyone. I try to take the things they’re each good at and learn from them. I watch what they do in the pitch and try to put it into practice.”
If a deal does go ahead, it’s unclear as to whether or not Campbell would immediately join up with Arsenal’s first-team squad or head out on loan to gain first-team experience or indeed qualify for a work permit.
The outcome of the negotiations should be clear in the next few days – Arsenal will be keen to complete a deal before the U-20 World Cup kicks off at the end of the month.
Next Posts
Previous Posts
