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Leeds in talks to sign £12m-rated defender capped by England, Orta's signed him before - report
Leeds United are in talks to sign Arsenal centre-back Calum Chambers with Mikel Arteta viewing the 25-year-old’s career at the Emirates as over, according to TeamTalk.
The football news website reports that Victor Orta, who previously signed Chambers on loan during his time at Middlesbrough, is involved in the discussions with the Gunners, who want £12million for the three-times England international.
It is understood that Fulham are also interested in re-signing Chambers and have also held talks with the North London club.
Chambers could be seen by Leeds as a potential replacement for Ben White after they reached an impasse in their bid to re-sign the defender from Brighton.
During his loan spell at Fulham two seasons ago, Chamber played more times as a defensive midfielder than a centre-back [transfermarkt].
When a centre-back can play in the midfield, it shows that he’s a trusted ball-player who is also solid enough defensively to be able to sit back and defend – just like White.
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In a feature on the Premier League website during Chambers’ loan spell at Craven Cottage, it was reported that the ex-Southampton defender is “a bright reader of the game” who anticipates passes “intelligently”.
Chambers was a promising young defender when he joined Arsenal in 2014 but injuries have definitely hampered his development in the last few years.
Last season saw the 25-year-old play just 18 times in all competitions due to a serious knee injury he sustained against Chelsea in late December.
It was reported at the time that the defender would spent up to nine months on the sidelines so he might not be fit for the start of the new Premier League season in just over two weeks’ time.
Leeds need one or two new centre-backs but signing Chambers seems like it would be a massive risk due to his injury record, the fact he hasn’t played since December and that he won’t have the crucial bedding-in period that Marcelo Bielsa likes his new players to have.
In other Leeds United news, a player has been recorded arriving in a car park ahead of a medical with the Whites.