Arsenal forward Joel Campell has emerged as a potential target for Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of their maiden Premier League campaign next term.
The Sea Gulls secured their automatic promotion from the Championship last week after having distanced themselves from close competitors Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town.
A report from TalkSPORT suggests that Chris Hughton’s side could jump for the services of Campbell once he returns from his loan stint at Sporting in the summer.
The Costa Rica international struggled to attain regular first-team action at Arsenal during the previous campaign, and this urged him to link up with Sporting on a season-long loan with Arsene Wenger not in favour of his services.
Since then, Campbell has suffered a similar fate with the Lisbon-based club having just played a cameo role since his early league run which saw him net three goals in the Primeira Liga.
Sporting have decided against activating the buy option in the attacker’s contract with the £8m valuation deemed to be too great for a forward, who is often found warming the substitutes’ bench.
Campbell will have only a year left on his present deal when he arrives at the Emirates this summer, and the Gunners could be tempted to accept a bargain sum with newcomers Brighton said to hold an interest in the attacker.
Seagulls boss Hughton is expected to maintain his trust on his promotion-winning squad, but the club are nevertheless on the lookout for potential recruits, who could add valuable experience on their return to the top flight.
The 24-year-old who earns £30,000-a-week joined Arsenal from Deportivo Saprissa in the summer of 2011 and has since been restricted to just 40 appearances for the club – with work permit issues hindering his initial progress.
