Football Association looking into Calum Chambers transfer

The transfer of young defender Calum Chambers from Southampton to Arsenal last year is under investigation by English football authorities.


The Football Association, England’s governing body for soccer, is investigating last year’s $22.8 million transfer of young defender Calum Chambers.

Chambers went from Southampton to Arsenal in July and helped the Gunners to the FA Community Shield last year.

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Chambers, who turned 20 last month, played 25 games with Southampton in the Premier League in 2012-13 and 2013-14 prior to last summer’s transfer.

The FA isn’t saying why the probe has been launched, according to The Daily Mail, but it is believed that a complaint from a third-party is what sparked the investigation. The negotiations for Chambers’ transfer were reportedly amicable, at least between the two clubs involved in the deal.

“I am very happy about his transfer,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “I made over 350 transfers since I am here. We have a lot of enquiries about them and we never had any problem.”

Agents’ unhappiness with a transfer is usually not enough to warrant a full-on investigation by the FA.

Chambers is represented by Cassius Sports Management, but agent Alan Middleton would not return calls from The Daily Mail seeking comment, citing company policy. Chambers made his debut for England’s national side last year, playing in three matches—a friendly with Norway and a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Switzerland.

He later was given his first start against San Marino on Oct. 9.

Chambers has one goal in 29 total matches for the Gunners this season.

At the time he was acquired, Wenger gushed about the then-teenager’s potential.

“The way he adapted to the Premier League last season at a young age shows that he has tremendous quality,” Wenger told BBC.

Chambers was one of four summer additions for the Gunners, along with forward Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona, defender Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle and goalkeeper David Ospina from Nice.

“He has a lot of the attributes that we look for in a young player and I am sure that he will do well with us,” Wenger said.

“I am so happy to be signing for Arsenal,” Chambers told the club’s official website last summer. “They are a team I have much admired for their playing style and a team who have been one of the top sides in Europe for many years.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone at Southampton for everything they have done for me and for making this move possible.”

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