Unless anything drastic happens before the end of the transfer window, Callum Chambers will be sent on loan to Middlesbrough for the coming season.
Multiple reports in England suggest the deal is on the verge of being completed, and it appears to be one that suits all parties judging by how little the youngster played last season under Arsène Wenger.
However, if Valencia-based radio is to be believed, things could have been very different for the former Southampton youngster.
RadioEsport Valencia journalist Dani Meroño is reported as saying by the radio station’s Twitter account: “Chambers was offered by Arsenal to make the Mustafi deal cheaper. Valencia said no.”
.@Dani_Merono “Chambers fue ofrecido por el Arsenal para abaratar la operación Mustafi. El Valencia se negó”.
— RadioEsport Valencia (@Radioesport914) August 29, 2016
Shkodran Mustafi, although not 100% official yet, is expected to cost around £35m.
It isn’t made clear if Arsenal were just offering Chambers on loan, or would have been happy to see him go permanently if that meant getting Mustafi cheaper.
Judging by his loan move to Middlesbrough, you’d hope it was the former.
Callum Chambers played the full 90 minutes and scored a goal in Arsenal’s season opener against Liverpool, which ended in Jürgen Klopp’s men winning 4-3.
