Everton are reportedly targeting a £5m January move for Calum Chambers as the defender runs down his contract, according to a report.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Kieran Tierney and Calum Chambers of Arsenal interact during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Kieran Tierney and Calum Chambers of Arsenal interact during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The S*n report that Everton are in the market for a new right-back in the January transfer window, and they’re looking at a couple of options at Arsenal.

Everton obviously tried to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the summer, and they may try to return for him again in the winter window.

Rafa Benitez is hoping for a short-term loan deal for Maitland-Niles with an option to buy in the summer.

But the suggestion is that the player isn’t keen to make any decisions on his long-term future until he sees how the rest of the season pans out with Arsenal.

As a result, Benitez will reportedly turn to Calum Chambers. Arsenal could reportedly be open to selling the right-back in the January window for a fee in the region of £5m.

Interestingly, the report mentions that Arsenal have an option to extend Chambers’ deal to 2023.

As things stand, the English 26-year-old will be out of contract in the summer. But it seems Arsenal could tie him down for another year if they wanted to.

That should give Arsenal at least a little more negotiating power. Otherwise, you’d worry Everton might just decide to pick Chambers up on a free transfer instead of paying the money.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Calum Chambers of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring their side's first goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Calum Chambers of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring their side’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Chambers has made four appearances for Arsenal this season, two in the Premier League and two in the League Cup.

He scored in his most recent game against Leeds United to help Arsenal into the cup quarter-finals.

But it really doesn’t seem like Mikel Arteta considers Chambers a key part of his squad.

He hasn’t even given the defender an appearance on the Premier League bench since the game against Norwich City on September 11th.

A January departure certainly doesn’t seem impossible right now.