It was reported among the many Arsenal transfer rumours last week that the Premier League club Crystal Palace put in a transfer bid of £16 million in an attempt to sign our versatile young defender Calum Chambers, after the England international enjoyed an impressive season on loan with Middlesborough.
That was the same money that Arsenal paid Southampton for him three years ago and with the way that transfer fees are rising it is no surprise that we said no. I hope that is not the only reason though and we could soon find out just how much Arsene Wenger rates the graduate of the Saints academy because the Daily Mail reports that Palace are going to try again.
The report says that the Gunners are holding out for £20 million and so the transfer could happen soon, but if it does I will not be too happy unless the boss invests this money straight back into the transfer market to bring in a top class defender to replace him.
At 22-years old Chambers is still very young for a defender and with him playing at both right back and central defence he could be the ideal sort of player for our new three at the back system. Can Arsenal really afford to sell him without a replacement when we have fitness concerns over Koscielny and Mertesacker and so few options that we have seen Elneny used during pre-season?
Bob.