Arsenal are holding out for the best price they can get for Calum Chambers. Possible takers, like Crystal Palace, should think hard about the player’s true value to them and his potential.
Crystal Palace are seemingly intent on bringing Calum Chambers to Selhurst Park, but they have been unsuccessful in their first bid of £16 million for the highly rated defender, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Arsenal are looking for a figure around £20 million the paper claims, but the Guardian puts Chambers’ valuation at nearer £25 million.
Either way, Crystal Palace have more work to do if they are to get their man. Last season Chambers spent his time in the Premier League at Middlesbrough on loan, and while the team was relegated it has not softened Arsenal’s view of what the player is worth.
Chambers, 22, is said to be a ball winner and a defender that can adapt well to playing in a back three, as noted by the Guardian. He also gained valuable experience in Poland this summer as England’s under-21s reached the semi-finals going out to the eventual winners Germany in a penalty shoot-out.
It is not simple to know how good Chambers might become, but there are not many English 22-year-olds who have as much Premier League experience as he does.
Chambers might be best served by going on loan or signing with another Premier League club that is not in the top four, which seems a crazy idea for an ambitious young England player. But Palace would view him as a long-term signing that could be at the club for many years.
Frank de Boer should take the view that Chambers is likely to get better. He is young enough that he can still mould him into the defender he wants. The Arsenal man should also consider what de Boer’s experience and knowledge could do for him as a defender.
It seems a great deal all round and a compromise on the price appears likely, according to the Guardian’s report. Yet the Metro has stated that Arsenal are more keen on getting Chambers to sign an extended contract.
The tipping point is likely to be what Palace are willing to pay. Looking at the Eagles’ ageing defenders, like Scott Dann and Damien Delaney, there is room for a younger option, and Chambers could certainly help Palace’s league position next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
