Middlesbrough are set to sign Arsenal defender Calum Chambers on loan.
Arsenal’s Calum Chambers celebrates scoring their third goal against Liverpool
According to the Daily Mail, Middlesbrough have struck a deal with Arsenal to take defender Calum Chambers on loan until the end of the season.
Boro have added Bernardo Espinosa to their defensive options already this summer, but the Colombian has been out injured recently, as has Daniel Ayala, meaning Aitor Karanka has been pursuing another central defender.
Arsenal’s Calum Chambers in action with Hull’s David Meyler
With just over two days to go until the transfer deadline, Boro are now set to re-enter the transfer market, with a swoop for Calum Chambers edging ever closer.
The Daily Mail report that Middlesbrough have agreed a deal with Arsenal to take Chambers on loan for the season, with the player now deciding whether to head to the Riverside Stadium.
Burnley’s Scott Arfield in action with Arsenal’s Calum Chambers
Chambers, 21, joined Arsenal from Southampton back in the summer of 2014, and whilst he had a strong start to life at the Emirates Stadium, he was pushed down the pecking order by Gabriel Paulista’s arrival in January 2015.
The England international played just 12 Premier League games last season, and with Shkodran Mustafi on his way to the Emirates Stadium from Valencia, Chambers will again find his path to the first team blocked – despite scoring against Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Arsenal’s Calum Chambers in action with Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini
Chambers will now offer Karanka a versatile option at the back, as he can play at centre back or right back, strengthening a Boro defence which kept a clean sheet against West Brom on Sunday.
The youngster needs first-team football, and he should get that at Middlesbrough, where he can impress Arsene Wenger and show why the Gunners were so keen to sign him two years ago – and it’s clear that Wenger still rates him highly, as the report claims that the Arsenal boss is now willing to sanction a permanent exit for the defender.
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