Arsenal striker Joel Campbell could join Benfica on loan for 2015/16 campaign
Arsenal forward Joel Campbell could be set for another temporary spell away from the club, according to the player's father Humberto Campbell.
Joel Campbell, who finally got his work permit to play for the Gunners last summer, failed to make an impact in the first-team squad and was eventually sent on loan to Villarreal during the January transfer window.
The Costa Rican international failed to light up the La Liga and managed just one goal in 22 appearances for the Spanish side. It is unlikely that Campbell will get a regular chance to prove his worth at Arsenal in the upcoming campaign as Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud are ahead of him in the pecking order.
The 22-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Real Sociedad, and according to Spanish newspaper AS, the club and the player have indicated their willingness to make the deal a reality.
However, the Costa Rican's father has now indicated that he could be set for another loan spell, with Benfica being touted as a potential destination, a club Humberto believes will help his son develop and become a better player before returning to the Emirates Stadium in the future.
"Benfica give many opportunities to young players, they are always in the Champions League and they've just been crowned champions," Campbell's father is quoted as saying by Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
"It is an important club, where you can play, grow and eventually return to a club like Arsenal in a stronger league," he added.
A Daily Mail report, however, suggests that the north London club are looking to offload the player on a permanent basis and will demand a fee of around £5m ($7.8m) from interested clubs.
Campbell could become Arsenal's third summer departure after the club released first-team players Abou Diaby and Ryo Miyaichi following the expiry of their contracts.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.