Arsenal have rejected an approach from Southampton to take their former player Calum Chambers on loan for the coming campaign.
According to the Mirror, the Saints made an approach to bring their ex-defensive star back to St Mary’s Stadium, however, their approach was rebuffed by Arsenal.
Ronald Koeman’s side were just one outfit understood to be keen on the England international, but in response to their bid, Arsene Wenger has told all interested parties to look elsewhere.
The centre-back—who has already demonstrated his versatility at right-back and in the centre of midfield for the Gunners—moved to the Emirates Stadium last summer in a £16 million move [BBC].
He impressed during the first half of the campaign, impressing with his maturity, his poise, his resiliency and his composure under pressure.
However, Chambers lost some of his lustre as the campaign wore on, and found himself squeezed out of Arsenal’s starting XI.
READ MORE:
Manchester United FC news.
Angel Di Maria PSG: Five players Man United could get in player-exchange for £59.7m superstar including Zlatan
Man United legend concerned about imminent £45.9m Angel Di Maria departure; says replacement must be signed
The arrival of Gabriel Paulista increased competition in the heart of the backline, while Hector Bellerin’s impressive showings at right-back also reduced the international’s possibilities of earning playing time as a full-back.
Similarly, while Chambers might have been an option for the Gunners in the heart of the park, the returning Francis Coquelin meant that Wenger had no requirement for a stop-gap measure at the base of the midfield.
Wenger’s insistence that Chambers cannot go on loan would, however, indicate that the French coach sees the 20-year-old as a potentially key part of his plans for the coming campaign.