According to reports by Goal, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is tracking Mainz centre-back Abdou Diallo, with The Sun reporting that he could make a move for the defender during the January transfer window.
The Sun reports that Wenger is keen to bolster his side’s backline in the New Year after they lost five of their 18 Premier League matches already this season, and Gunners scouts believe that the France U21 international could be a hit in the English top flight.
With Per Mertesacker retiring in the summer, Laurent Koscielny not being as good as he has been in previous years and Nacho Monreal still often used as a full-back turned centre-back, it is certainly an area that needs strengthening in the future.
If the north London outfit do get the 21-year-old Diallo, then it would throw some question marks over the futures of the likes of Calum Chambers, who has only made four first-team appearances this term and not played a single minute of Premier League football. Chambers is valued at £12.6m by transfermarkt.com.
Meanwhile, Everton continued their rejuvenation under Sam Allardyce with a 3-1 win against Swansea City at Goodison Park on Monday night, but the 63-year-old is still likely to want to strengthen his squad in key areas in January.
One of those areas could be in defence, and bringing Chambers to the Merseyside could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Everton should move for the 22-year-old if Arsenal sign Diallo…
They need a new defender
While Everton have tightened up at the back in recent weeks, Allardyce may still want to add at least one new defender to his squad during the January transfer window.
Youth products Mason Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny have impressed this term, but former England boss may want to provide the duo with more competition for their places.
With Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka getting no younger and Michael Keane going off the boil following a decent start to the campaign, bringing in Chambers – who has played for Southampton, Arsenal and Middlesbrough at this level – could be a smart move.
His ability
While Chambers has struggled to get a consistent run in the Arsenal side following his move from Southampton in 2014 and will be frustrated at his lack of game time this term, he has still made 63 appearances for them in all competitions.
However, you perhaps got a feel for the ability that the 22-year-old has during a season-long loan spell with Middlesbrough last season, even if they did suffer relegation at the end of the campaign.
According to Squawka, the defender made 180 clearances, 49 clearances and 24 blocks in 24 Premier League outings, while he won 56 aerial duels and showed his skill in possession by successfully completing 10 of the 13 take-ons he attempted.
Versatility
While Chambers showed what a good centre-back he can be during his time with Middlesbrough and on occasions with Arsenal, Allardyce may well be attracted to his versatility when he is looking for new additions in January,
The 22-year-old has also played as a right-back, right wing-back and as a defensive midfielder for the Gunners, and in that respect he could be a very useful addition to the Everton squad for the second-half of the season and in the future.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.
