As reported by The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle United are interested in signing versatile Arsenal defender Calum Chambers this summer.

What's the story?

After winning the English Championship last season, Rafa Benitez is a man who is guiding Newcastle in the right direction but he knows better than anyone that if the Magpies are to compete adequately in the top-flight, they need a few signings to bolster the ranks at St James' Park.

One man Benitez appears to be interested in is Arsenal's Calum Chambers. That's according to The Evening Chronicle who say the England international could be available either on loan or in a permanent move.

However, the Magpies face significant competition from the likes of Southampton, with the report saying that Saints want Chambers to replace Virgil van Dijk at St. Mary's.

Rated at £10.2m by Transfermarkt and with his contract not running out at the Emirates until 2020 he may not come cheap, but is he a defender Newcastle should be going all-out to get?

A potential star for Newcastle?

Still just 22 years of age, Calum Chambers is a player of real quality who showed consistency on loan at Middlesbrough last season despite their relegation down to the Championship.

With the versatility to star either at right-back or in the centre of defence, he would really add depth to the Magpies backline and that's something they'll need over a long, hard Premier League season.

He never quite forced his way into the Gunners defence as a first choice under Wenger and again finds himself well behind the rest this summer in London. However he does deserve regular football and that's something Newcastle could offer.

Given he's regular for the England U21s and has already won three senior caps, he could be an England mainstay for years to come if he finds a permanent home and gets the top-flight football he needs to fulfil his potential.