Crystal Palace have reportedly launched a bid to sign Arsenal defender Calum Chambers. Frank de Boer’s side have reportedly tabled a bid of £16m for the English defender.
Palace are yet to venture into the transfer market properly. Newly appointed manager de Boer seems to be in no hurry as he has been monitoring a number of players as a part of his rebuilding strategy. The England U-21 international had played a regular role at Middlesbrough but the Riversiders got relegated last season although he was on loan at the club.
If Boro somehow had managed to stay afloat in the Premier League they could have been in the pursuit of the defender who has impressed very much. The versatile right back has been one of the most centrifugal characters in Aitor Karanka’s side.
Chambers was a part of the U-21 side that did quite well in the European Championship in Poland. The defender was granted an extended holiday by Arsene Wenger and wasn’t in the travelling contingent that flew to Australia a few days ago.
The promising defender is yet to find his feet at the Emirates since his arrival from Southampton three years ago. One of the most promising prospects amongst the Arsenal youngsters, the 22-year-old also has three senior caps for his country.
Chambers has a tough competitor in Rob Holding. The £2m arrival from Bolton Wanderers had been initially struggling to clinch a starting berth. But since Wenger deployed a three man defence, the English youngster found himself in the thick of things.
In the centre back position, the French manager has his hands full. Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Shkodran Mustafi, Per Mertesacker and Holding are all ahead of him in the pecking order.
It would also be very difficult for him to replace Hector Bellerin from the right wingback position. So to remain in the fray for a place in the World Cup squad he might have to find a new team where he would be able to get regular game time.
If Chambers moves to Selhurst Park he would be joining his U-21 teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek who has just joined de Boer’s side from Chelsea. Chambers can play in a number of positions and can also be deployed in the midfield.
A number of players are expected to leave, like Wojciech Szczesny, Lucas Perez and Kieran Gibbs. De Boer is very keen to bring the player and Wenger might be tempted to sell him to Palace.
