Wenger leaves door open for Campbell deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger won’t rule out signing Sol Campbell on a free transfer after Manchester United played down talk of an Old Trafford switch for the former Gunners defender.

Campbell has been training with Arsenal since walking out on Notts County earlier this season after making just one appearance of the League Two club.

The 35-year-old is now able to resume his career following a contract wrangle with County, but a mooted move to the Premier League champions won’t happen, according to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Campbell has also been linked with Newcastle but there is also a slim chance of an emotional return to Arsenal, where he spent five years before joining Portsmouth in 2006.

“I love Sol Campbell and the fact he came back here and wanted to practice with us shows he loves the club as well. You never say never in these kinds of situations,” Wenger said on Friday.

Wenger’s first choice centre-backs are currently William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen, with Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos as back-up. If any of those were to get injured, Wenger could be tempted to sign Campbell.

“At the moment, we have four centre-backs and we will always have four,” Wenger said.

“If one would go, then I would consider it, but at the moment we are four, so I have no need to sign anybody else.”

“Sol can still do a job in the Premier League, especially now he is fit. He has worked very hard.”

Meanwhile, Wenger wants to give Tomas Rosicky a contract extension, even though the Czech Republic winger is still struggling to find full fitness after 18 months out of action.

The 29-year-old recently returned to action following knee and hamstring injuries and then suffered another setback with a groin problem which has ruled him out of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

Rosicky, who signed from Borussia Dortmund in May 2006, is out of contract at the end of the season but Wenger said: “I want to extend his contract, so that shows you how patient I am with him.

“I look first for the quality of the player, at his attitude and at his leadership.

“The injuries can happen to anybody. Tomas is not responsible for what happened to him.

“At the moment he has small setbacks which keep him out for eight to 10 days, but once he can regularly play again, he will come back to his normal level.”