Newcastle United are preparing to make a bid for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers in the coming days, as he closes in on an injury return.

Andy Ridgwell reports that Newcastle United are preparing a bid for Calum Chambers in the coming days. Steve Bruce’s side missed out on Rob Holding on loan after Mikel Arteta decided to keep him, so they’re turning to Chambers instead.

Arsenal aren’t too keen on letting the defender leave on loan this month. He’s drawing interest from Fulham and Leeds United, but it would really have to be a permanent transfer to convince the Gunners. TEAMtalk add that West Ham are also in the race.

As I pointed out earlier this week, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Chambers leave. He’s returning from a long-term injury as one of too many centre-back options at the club.

Even now, with injuries to Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Arsenal still have David Luiz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, William Saliba and Kieran Tierney to fill the back three.

Arguably, Chambers was Arsenal’s form centre-back before his injury. He’s certainly shown flashes of his quality in recent spells. The club may well still see a future for him in North London.

But he’s not a nailed-on starter and could raise some good money. As long as they’re asking for more than the £12m the Daily Star are reporting.