Arsenal: Caglar Soyuncu doesn’t have to mean Calum Chambers’ end

Mustafa Dogru, agent of Caglar Soyuncu, has confirmed that Arsenal are in ‘concrete talks’ with his client. The young defender doesn’t have to mean Calum Chambers’ end, though.

Arsenal are working towards their further signings of the summer. Stephan Lichtsteiner is already in north London, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is seemingly on his way, though the deal is not half dragging its heels, and now young, Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu is seemingly the subject of very real interest from the Gunners.

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It has been reported that Arsenal might be interested in the Turkish international for some time now, though nothing more clear or certain had ever come of such reports. That was until Saturday.

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Speaking with the media in Turkey, Mustafa Dogru, agent of Soyuncu, claimed that Sven Mislintat is in ‘concrete talks’ with him and his client, while also highlighting several other potential destinations, including Liverpool, Madrid and unnamed clubs in France, Germany and Italy, and also revealing, because of Soyuncu’s skill on the ball and natural athleticism, his belief that his client is the perfect modern-day defender and would be well-suited to the Premier League:

"“Sven Mislintat has been keen on Caglar since he was at Borussia Dortmund. He first scouted him back in Germany. Sven is interested in Caglar, there are concrete talks, all that remains is for a fee to be agreed. We will see what happens next.”"

Soyuncu is a 22-year-old centre-half who would cost north of £30 million. That seems to spell the end of the young talented group already in the squad, most notably, Calum Chambers. But that does not have to be the case.

While the price that is being reported for Soyuncu is steep, the acquisition and development of young players is a risky and uncertainty business. His price does not guarantee his working out. And so it makes sense to try and address a major need, or at least what the club deems a major need, with more than just one or two options.

That, I believe, is what Arsenal are trying to do with the centre-back position. Sokratis will come in to provide some experience and warrior-like qualities that are missing in Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny’s absence, while Soyuncu joins alongside Chambers as the up-and-coming partner, with Shkodran Mustafi still present as the bridge between the two.

That may seem like a lot of numbers to have at one position, and perhaps it is, but Rob Holding can be loaned out and Konstantinos Mavropanos need not play more than in the Carabao Cup and early Europa League games. With injuries and suspensions, there will be plenty of opportunities for all.

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Soyuncu’s addition would certainly not be positive for Chambers. It would be at least some indication of the club’s evaluation of his potential. But it would not have to spell his end. Opportunities would still be there, he would simply have to be more clinical when he gets them.