Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger closes in on Calum Chambers capture for £11m

Wenger goes back to Southampton's academy for young right-back

Mesut Oezil of Arsenal keeps a close eye on Calum Chambers of Southampton (Getty Images)

Arsenal are closing in on the £11m signing of Southampton right-back Calum Chambers as Arsene Wenger adds to his defensive options.

Chambers has made only 18 Premier League starts, but the FA Cup holders are undeterred by the inflated fee which the Saints have asked for the 19-year-old.

The price tag, initially believed to be in the region of £16m but now looks considerably lower, is expected to include a number of clauses based on the player's future successes.

Arsenal lost Bacary Sanga to title rivals Manchester City this summer, but have since replaced him with Newcastle United star Mathieu Debuchy.

Chambers, who rose to fame last season as Southampton achieved a top-half finish, is considered to be a long-term option for Wenger who believes he can become England's next right-back.

Carl Jenkinson, who would have been back-up to Debuchy this year, is now linked with a switch to Hull City.

Wenger has history in terms of raiding the Saints' academy for talent having signed both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from St. Mary's.

Ronald Koeman has arrived in the midst of a mass exodus at Southampton with Luke Shaw being followed out of the exit by Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert while Dejan Lovren is likely to join the duo at Liverpool.

Morgan Schneiderlin is another star who could be leaving the South Coast club with former boss Mauricio Pochettino, now at Tottenham Hotspur, said to be considering an offer for the France international.