Galatasaray are set to offer Joel Campbell a contract on July 1, according to a report from Turkey.
Campbell is currently on international duty with Costa Rica, and is set to play more football at the World Cup than he managed during an injury-ravaged season on loan.
According to Turkish outfit, Millyet, Campbell will play an ‘important role’ in manager, Fatih Terim’s formation as he attempts a serious assault on the Champions League next season. They also write, ‘the contract for the young Arsenal star, who played on loan in La Liga last season, will arrive on 1 July.’
At the start of June it was reported that, during a meeting with Arsene Wenger, who was in Turkey with David Dein, Galatasaray enquired about the health of Joel Campbell after an injury-plagued season at Real Betis.
Wenger reportedly gave a glowing report about the Costa Rican who seemed unable to do enough to convince Wenger to give him a chance at Arsenal.
Gala are said to be in the market for a left-footed winger specifically and Campbell would no doubt be happy to turn out for a club of their stature.
The forward endured a tough season on loan during the last campaign.
Hampered by injuries, he managed only 232 minutes of football for Real Betis. That being said, although he only played 209 minutes in La Liga, he still managed two goals and one assist.
Thankfully, for him, he returned to fitness in time for the summer’s festival of football.
“My future, I go step by step,” Campbell told La Naicon.
“The World Cup is a showcase because it is the most important tournament on the planet and we all have the opportunity to show what we can do, but if we do it as a team, it will be better for us all to benefit.
“The truth is that I take this quote [about interest in him from Turkey] in peace.
“I have experience, I am calm, I know there’s a lot of demand, but I do not go crazy and I know what I do to help my teammates.”
The player would seem to finally be coming to the end of his time as an Arsenal player.
Unable to find a slot in the side under Wenger, despite impressing when given the chance at the Emirates, Campbell has been shunted around on loan since the club signed him seven years ago.
Now 25, Campbell has never moaned about his lot as an Arsenal player. He now deserves the chance to find himself a permanent home where he can finally start to build a career for himself.