Arsenal Transfer News: Calum Chambers to Everton Rumours Emerge

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is reportedly pondering an approach for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers as a replacement for centre-back John Stones, per Tom Hopkinson of Sunday People (via the Daily Mirror).

Stones was the subject of numerous bids from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, and although the Toffees held firm throughout the saga, Martinez knows he’ll be forced to give in at some point.

And the out-of-favour Chambers could well provide the Everton boss with the like-for-like replacement he’s after.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Chambers signed for Arsenal back in summer 2014 and has been something of a utility player ever since, lining up at right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield under Arsene Wenger.

However, chances have been few and far between for the young Englishman this term, with Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista keeping him out of the side in the heart of defence.

In fact, Chambers has started just one Premier League match all season, per WhoScored.com.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Regular, first-team football will undoubtedly be what the 20-year-old is after, but it seems he’ll be forced to wait until a defensive midfield slot opens up before having that chance at the Emirates.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail wrote that Wenger’s long-term plan for Chambers is to mould him into an anchor, although Mathieu Flamini is still getting the nod over the Englishman in that role.

That much could well open up the possibility of a switch to the likes of Everton, yet Hopkinson reported that Martinez sees the youngster as a defender.

However, despite Chambers’ lack of game time in any given position, he told Dominic King of Mail on Sunday that he’s not letting it get the better of him and is continuing to improve as a defender:

"

I'm not getting so much game time but I am still working in training and trying to fight for my place. I'm not down or anything. When you are not in the team, you have to prepare for games as if you are in. You have to do everything the same. In training, Per always gives me advice. Laurent is the same. I feel I can go up to them and ask them anything and learn from them. I watch them in games all the time, learning and it is helping me get better and better.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

Wenger is unlikely to let Chambers leave on a permanent basis based on his views for the future. Plus King reports that he was denied the chance to head out on loan recently.

A temporary switch does seem more likely if the move goes ahead, though, and Martinez needs to convince Wenger that the transfer would be beneficial for all parties or he’ll be forced to shop elsewhere.