Transfer Centre

Report: Arsenal to use Joel Campbell as makeweight to sign Portugal star

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 07 May 2015

Arsenal reportedly hope to use struggling Joel Campbell as a makeweight in a prospective deal to sign £35m-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.

Arsenal will reportedly use Joel Campbell as a makeweight in a deal to sign highly-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.

The Portuguese is thought to be a long-term target of Arsene Wenger, who is considering a summer swoop for the 23-year-old.

Carvalho's £35m price tag is believed to have deterred the Frenchman last summer, but Wenger will include Campbell in an effort to reduce the fee, according to The Mirror.

The Costa Rica international has endured an indifferent first season with the Gunners' first team, having spent the last three years on loan at several clubs around Europe.

The forward, 22, was loaned out to La Liga side Villarreal in January but is expected to return after failing to have a significant impact.

Campbell has not scored or set up a goal from 19 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish side.

Carvalho is contracted to the Portuguese outfit until 2018.