Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion could raid Arsenal this summer.
Talksport host Jim White has claimed on his Monday show that a pair of Arsenal defenders could be bound for Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion this summer, in deals worth £32 million combined.
Arsenal recently shelled out a club-record £52.7 million on Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette [Guardian] and, according to White, the Gunners are keen to make much of that back by moving on Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs in addition to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who looks to be heading for Juventus.
Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette [right]
“It’s my understanding this Monday lunchtime that [Arsenal] are going to pool in the best part of £45 million with sale of Calum Chambers to Crystal Palace [for] £20 million. That, I’m hearing, is moving long,” he said.
“Kieran Gibbs to West Brom [for] £12m. That could come too.”
Chambers spent last season away from the Emirates Stadium at Middlesbrough and impressed despite the Teessiders’ relegation, while Gibbs remained, making only 11 Premier League appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Palace appear to have turned to alternatives at centre-back, after baulking £30 million asking price for Mamadou Sakho.
The Eagles have also been linked with an £8 million move for Dutch international Jairo Riedewald [Evening Standard] and, providing White’s claims are true, they could get both he and Chambers for less than Sakho alone.
Arsenal defenders Kieran Gibbs and Calum Chambers
For West Brom, a new left-back looks to be high on their list of priorities, after they pulled out of a deal to sign Charlie Taylor from Leeds United earlier this summer – and Gibbs, who has 10 caps for England, would certainly fit the bill.
Jim Right or Jim Shi Wrong: Are Crystal Palace and West Brom about to raid Arsenal?
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