Campbell pledges to stay with Gunners

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell expects to sign a new Highbury deal in the near future after dismissing claims he would consider a move elsewhere.

Talks over a new deal for the England centre-back have gone well, in Campbell’s view, and he is now waiting to ink an extension to his current contract.

That contract is due to expire next summer, and Arsenal are determined not to lose the 30-year-old on a free transfer.

Likewise, Campbell has no intention of quitting the club, providing terms of the new deal are to his satisfaction.

“There is something magical about this club – from the board to the manager, the players and especially the fans,” Campbell said in the News of the World.

"I love it here. Why would I want to go anywhere else? My contract talks are going nice and smooth. It’s moving on nice and easy because I’m happy and everything’s going right.”

Campbell joined Arsenal from neighbours Tottenham in July 2001, and the 30-year-old has become the mainstay of Arsene Wenger’s defence, allowing the Gunners to seamlessly progress despite the retirement of former skipper Tony Adams.

His new contract could mean that Campbell spends the rest of his career with Arsenal. “It’s still up to the hierarchy to sort it all out,” he added, “but it’s going to finish okay”.