Everton are lining up a bargain £5 million deal for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers ahead of the January transfer window with Rafael Benitez looking to sign a right-back, as reported by The Sun.
The irony here, of course, is Chambers has played just once on the right-hand side of Mikel Arteta’s defence all season.
He didn’t exactly cover himself in glory either, shouldering the blame for Brentford’s opening goal in August’s 2-0 defeat to the top-flight newcomers.
And since the arrival of Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, Chambers hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League football, left out of the match-day squad for the past seven games.
So, just a few months after the former Southampton youngster appeared to have given his ailing Arsenal career a timely shot in the arm with a couple of eye-catching performances, Chambers appears to find himself back in the familiar surroundings of square one.
One step forward, ten steps back.
Everton want Arsenal star Calum Chambers – he’ll be a free agent soon
The 26-year-old is due to become a free agent in July and it seems unlikely – given Arteta and managing director Edu Gaspar have been hard at work trimming the fat from a bloated squad – that Chambers will be handed an extension.
According to The Sun, Arteta understands Chambers needs to play first-team football and Arsenal would listen to bids in the region of £5 million.
Everton boss Benitez, however, would prefer a short-term loan deal – and it’s believed Arsenal teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles remains the Toffees’ first choice target.
It appears Chambers is Everton’s back-up option at this stage. Maitland-Niles, of course, can also play at right-back, although he has made clear his desire for a box-to-box midfield role.
Everton missed out on a host of right-sided defenders in the summer including, but not limited to, Denzel Dumfries.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
