Arsenal and Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell has told the club that he doesn’t want to go on loan again this season.
Campbell has recently returned to Arsenal to rebuild his fitness following surgery on a knee injury sustained during the Gold Cup. He spent last season on loan at Sporting Lisbon, and has now, according to the Guardian, told the club that he doesn’t want to go on loan again.
Campbell has technically been an Arsenal player since 2011, but has spent more time out on loan than he has playing for the London club. Unable to get a work permit, the 25-year-old spent time on loan with Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiacos and Villarreal before finally being able to play for Arsenal in 2014.
He made 40 appearances in two seasons, before going on loan again to Sporting Lisbon. By all accounts, his time as a Gunners player seemed over. With little hope of him getting any football at the Emirates Stadium, it’s understandable that Campbell would prefer a permanent move instead of another loan deal.
Frequent loans can be unsettling for players. Now 25, Campbell will feel it’s about time for him to be a first-team regular somewhere else. It remains to be seen if a move will happen for him this summer, however.