AC Milan have intensified their pursuit of Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, according to fresh reports in the foreign press.
SportMediaset claims the San Siro giants have now identified the Costa Rica international as their main attack-minded target for the summer transfer window and they believe their chances have improved since the Gunners’ swoop for Alexis Sanchez.
The feeling in the corridors of power at Milan is that the north London outfit will be more inclined to shift a striker off their wage bill in light of their big-money raid on Barcelona for Sanchez, who cost in excess of £30million.
Vice-president Adriano Galliani intends to propose an initial season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move.
At the start of the summer Milan were keen to land Torino forward Alessio Cerci, but they have struggled to offload several fringe players to fund a big-money deal for the Italy international.
The powers-that-be view Campbell as a more affordable alternative and will, according to the report, test Arsenal’s resolve to hold onto the 22-year-old.
His rise to prominence started last term when he caught the eye for Greek side Olympiacos, for whom he scored against Manchester United in the Champions League.
He then showed glimpses of brilliance for his national side in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, helping Costa Rica to reach the quarter-finals before a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out exit against Holland.