• Transfer news

Italian clubs chase Arsenal World Cup star

Joel Campbell could be given a chance at Arsenal in the new season © Getty Images

Enlarge

Joel Campbell could be in line for a £16 million summer move to Serie A, according to the Arsenal player's agent.

Campbell's impressive form has helped fire Costa Rica to the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time in their history and the 22-year-old has caught the eye of several major clubs.

Only the bench awaits at the Emirates

• Joel Campbell may be one of the stars of the Brazil World Cup but the best he can hope for at Arsenal next season is a place on the bench, writes Andrew Managan
• Click here for the full story

Agent Ruggero Lacerenza told the Sun: "Italian clubs are after Campbell. Various top-tier clubs often make enquiries."

However, it is reported that a fee of around £16m will have to be paid in order to prise Campbell from the Emirates Stadium.

Campbell has not played for Arsenal since joining them in 2011 and has been loaned out to Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos. However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently hinted the youngster could be given a chance in north London this season.

Wenger is intent on improving his strike force ahead of the new season and, while Campbell remains an option, the Frenchman wants to bring in a world class striker.

Both Mario Balotelli and Karim Benzema have been linked with a move to the club while Wenger's interest in Chile star Alexis Sanchez could yet prove to be a hitch in Luis Suarez's proposed transfer to Barcelona.

Another potential target is Jackson Martinez, the striker who helped steer Colombia to the World Cup's last eight, where they face hosts Brazil, who admitted it would be difficult to turn down a move to Arsenal, the club he supported as a boy.

Martinez has scored 60 goals in 91 appearances for club side Porto and, according to the Daily Mail, Wenger is prepared to part with the £35m needed for the forward's buy-out clause.

"I know that there have been discussions, but still no agreements," Martinez said. "My agent is taking care of my future, right now I'm at the World Cup and only after the World Cup I'll evaluate proposals.

"As a child I cheered for Arsenal, they play a game that suits me. If I had the occasion to play there, I would say yes."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd