CARDIFF CITY are closing in on a deal for Aston Villa defender Calum Chambers.
The 29-year-old former Arsenal star has one year remaining on his contract.
And he has now been booked in for a medical with the Bluebirds.
Chambers joined Villa from Arsenal in January 2022 and made 13 appearances for Steven Gerrard.
But he was just a fringe player under Unai Emery, who tried selling him in January, and only made five appearances last season.
Chambers’ one and only start of last season came on the final day as Villa crashed to a 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
He also made three appearances in the Europa Conference League as Villa were knocked out in the semis by Olympiacos.
And Chambers will be hoping for more action in the Championship with Cardiff.
The Welsh outfit finished 12th last season, 11 points off the playoffs.
But they ended with a heavy negative goal difference of -17.
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Boss Erol Bulut, who joined Cardiff last year and penned an extension in June, wants to create a meaner defence.
And Chambers’ experience makes him the ideal candidate.
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He will become Cardiff’s first signing, with the Bluebirds already bidding farewell to Sheyi Ojo and Romaine Sawyers.
But Chambers’ exit will not be the first for Villa, who have already seen six players leave.
Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet’s loans were not made permanent after disappointing spells.
While Philippe Coutinho has been sent packing to Brazilian side Vasco.
Morgan Sanson and Tim Iroegbunam have joined Nice and Everton respectively.
While Douglas Luiz is now a Juventus player.
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Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior moved in the other direction as part of the £42million transfer.
While Villa have also splashed out on deals for Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen and Lewis Dobbin, as well as former man Cameron Archer from Sheffield United.
England ratings vs Holland
ENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones: 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi: 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Declan Rice: 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Harry Kane: 6
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
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Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.
