English Premier League side Arsenal put a last-minute block on the proposed deal for forward Joel Campbell to join Palermo on loan.
Rosanero president Maurizio Zamparini reportedly flew to London last week in a bid to come to an agreement with the London club, but eventually had to admit defeat in his pursuit of the Costa Rican international.
According to the Independent, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insisted upon the retention of Campbell after coming up empty-handed in his attempts to sign either Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani or Napoli poacher Gonzalo Higuain.
Once it became clear to Wenger that he was set to miss out on the recruitment of a top-class striker during the transfer window, he immediately pulled the 23-year-old forward off the market, despite the former Villarreal loanee’s apparent interest in completing a switch to Sicily.
Palermo owner Zamparini was at least able to introduce experienced former Fiorentina centre-forward Alberto Gilardino from Chinese Super League outfit Guangzhou Evergrande in order to strengthen coach Giuseppe Iachini’s hand up front.
