Aston Villa defender Calum Chambers could reportedly leave the club before the transfer deadline with interest growing.
The 29-year-old has played a limited role again so far this season, featuring just three times and totalling 178 minutes of football, as he remains down the pecking order of Unai Emery’s defensive options.
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While the Villa boss has publicly revealed that Chambers is free to move on as he feels it would be in the best interests of all parties, we’ve also moved to recall Kaine Kesler-Hayden from his loan spell at Plymouth, thus giving us another option at right-back instead.
Additionally, having confirmed the signing of youngster Kosta Nedeljkovic, it’s clear that Villa have moved in a different direction, and Chambers has become surplus to requirements.
According to The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Chambers is now expected to leave us before the deadline, as he has attracted interest from a number of Championship clubs. It’s added that it’s likely to be an initial loan move with an option to buy.
Although it’s not ideal that we’re seemingly unlikely to secure a permanent transfer for the versatile defender on deadline day, it makes sense for all concerned that he moves on.
From Villa’s perspective, we shift his wages off the salary bill for now and clear space for others while hoping it leads to a permanent exit and a decent transfer fee, while Chambers will hopefully get a more prominent role elsewhere and play regularly again.
While he may not have featured too often, Chambers has continued to be a professional presence in the squad for Emery by providing depth and competition as well as filling in when needed, and so it’s hoped a potential move works out for him.
It promises to be a busy transfer deadline day for Villa with Morgan Rogers, Joe Gauci and Lino Sousa all expected to be announced as new signings, and coupled with the decision to move on Chambers and Leander Dendoncker, there is a clear strategy to add youth and potential as depth in Emery’s squad.
