Arsenal don’t want to let 23-year-old defender Calum Chambers leave this summer for less than £22m, amid interest from Fulham, according to reports.

The Times write that Arsenal “want more than £22m for Calum Chambers after interest in the defender from their London rivals Fulham”. They go on to point out that the centre-back almost moved to Crystal Palace last summer, but the transfer collapsed because Arsenal asked for £27m, £11m more than Palace offered.

As you may remember, it’s not too long since Chambers signed his last contract extension with the club. Back in October 2017, he signed a two-year extension, meaning his contract doesn’t end until 2021. There’s therefore no pressure for Arsenal to sell, and they’re free to name their price.

For me, Chambers actually had a solid season in 2017/18. He didn’t have much luck with injuries, but performed more consistently than most of the club’s defenders. The problem is he might not get the chance to have a run in the team in the coming campaign.

Shkodran Mustafi is ahead of him in the pecking order, as is Laurent Koscielny when fit. Sokratis Papastathopoulos will presumably also start ahead of the English youngster. Then it’s always possible Rob Holding or Konstantinos Mavropanos impress Unai Emery and earn back up spots.

Hopefully, Chambers is willing to embrace that competition and fight for his place. If he isn’t, though, it might be better to cash in and spend the money on someone who will.