Arsenal sign Calum Chambers from Southampton

The 19-year-old, described as a "gamble" by Arsene Wenger, will join the Gunners for an initial €12 million, rising to €20m, and provide competition to Mathieu Debuchy

Arsenal have completed the signing of defender Calum Chambers from Southampton in a deal worth €20 million.

The Gunners have been chasing the 19-year-old over the past month and, after agreeing personal terms over the weekend, the England Under-19 international becomes the fifth player to leave St. Mary's this summer as the south-coast outfit's firesale continues.

The teenager, who will cost an initial €12m, becomes the latest Southampton academy product to move to Emirates Stadium, following in the footsteps of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had also been keen on bringing Chambers to Anfield, but the youngster opted instead to sign for the north Londoners and is excited about the prospect of working under Arsene Wenger.

Chambers is expected to provide competition and cover for Mathieu Debuchy, who joined the FA Cup winners from Newcastle earlier this summer, and his arrival could pave the way for Carl Jenkinson to join Hull City.

Wenger has previously hailed Chambers's versatility, being able to play across the back-line and in midfield, though admits the signing does represent a gamble for Arsenal.

"He can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield," said the French boss. "I hope he will give us competition for the players in these three positions.

"He hasn't played many games, no, but the English players on the market in England are very expensive and at the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a player for the future."

Chambers could be joined at the Emirates by former Saints team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin, with Arsenal redoubling their efforts to sign the French midfielder to beat off competition from Tottenham.