Arsenal Transfer News: Villa, Jorginho, Campbell And Rode Discussed In Latest Speculation

Arsene Wenger confirmed that he made an approach for Villa in January, but Barcelona were not willing to sell. It is thought that the situation could change come the end of the season, however.

Ahead of their FA Cup tie with Blackburn, the Arsenal boss was coy on whether the club’s interest in Villa remained.

"I am not on the case of signing him," Wenger said, according to ESPN. "I like the player, but we have some more immediate targets that are more important to us, like beating Blackburn on Saturday."El Mundo, published in Barcelona, reports that Villa will seek a move if he cannot become a consistent presence in the Blaugrana first team, in order to ensure his place at the 2014 World Cup for Spain.

But Barcelona will reportedly not let him go on the cheap and will only listen to offers that match at least half what they paid to take the player from Valencia in 2010.

It is difficult to envisage Arsenal paying such a fee, which would break their transfer record for a 31-year-old, even given Villa’s remarkable goal-scoring record.

It remains to be seen what the future is for an Arsenal striker currently on-loan in Spain. Joel Campbell signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2011, but has yet to play for the club after being repeatedly denied a work permit.

The 20-year-old Costa Rica international is spending the season at Real Betis and has said that his next move is in Arsenal’s hands.

"Being in a country like Spain and to play in this league means a lot,” he said, according to Sky Sports. “I want to keep playing well to keep progressing as a player.”

"I will concentrate until June and see what will happen after. I'll give everything on the pitch until June, until we reach that date, to see what happens with me.

"Arsenal are in charge of my career and I am longing to play with them, but I'm very comfortable here and I play for Betis wholeheartedly.

"I'm trying to give my all for Betis because they opened the doors for me. We can go ahead and we believe make Europe."

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Sebastian Rode. The 22-year-old has long been linked with Tottenham, while Bayern Munich are also thought to be interested.

Rode, a Germany Under-21 international, has said that he will discuss his future come the end of the season, when he will have just a year left on his deal with the Bundesliga side.

“The interest is known to me. I'll keep my feet on the ground and not start dreaming," he said, according to the Daily Star."Eintracht Frankfurt and I have agreed to postpone the talks so I can concentrate on my football."

Arsenal also face a battle to sign Hellas Verona midfielder Jorginho, TalkSport reported. It is believed that the 21-year-old is on the radars of Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk, as well.

Born in Brazil, but with an Italian passport, Jorginho has been an impressive performer in Serie B this season. It is thought that he could be available for £6 million.