If Bacary Sagna decides to quit Arsenal when his contract expires this summer, Arsene Wenger could launch a bid for Calum Chambers.
French international Sagna has been a permanent fixture in the Gunners back four since his £8million move from Auxerre ahead of the 2007-08 campaign, and he has firmly established himself as one of the best right fullbacks in the Premier League. However, with his deal set to expire in a matter of weeks, he could soon be heading elsewhere.
Wenger is determined to keep the 31-year-old at the Emirates Stadium, but discussions to reach a new agreement have thus far failed to result in a satisfactory outcome. The Arsenal coach has not yet given up hope of persuading the player to recommit, but he is now at the stage at which he needs to consider potential replacements.
According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have made Chambers a target to fill the considerable boots of Sagna. The 19-year-old is yet another member of the impressive Southampton academy, which has in the past produced the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who are now stars of Wenger’s squad.
Having made his debut for the Saints in their 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the current season, the teenager has gone on to make 21 Premier League appearances and is already being talked about as a future England international. It is believed Wenger has had him watched on a number of occasions in recent months, although he is also aware that the player remains under contract until 2017.
Speaking to The Telegraph last week, Chambers claimed Southampton was the perfect place for him at this stage of his career, and with Luke Shaw expected to leave for either Chelsea or Manchester United, the St Mary’s club will be reluctant to sell both. However, their most recent financial accounts revealed they still owed £27million in unpaid transfer fees and £30million for their new training ground, and they will be aware that the majority of this would be wiped out if they took the decision to sell their young fullbacks.
Sagna, meanwhile, continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City. He will no doubt have seen former Arsenal pals and compatriots Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy make the same moves in recent times, and both can now boast Premier League title winning medals, and a League Cup triumph following the final victory over Sunderland this season, whilst he has yet to collect a single honour since making the move to the English capital.
