Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits the impending signing of Southampton defender Calum Chambers is a gamble.
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The 19-year-old defender, who has only made 18 Premier League starts, is said to have agreed personal terms and completed a medical, with the BBC reporting that the move should be confirmed on Monday.
The deal is said to be worth up to 16 million pounds and, while Wenger understands the size of the fee may be surprising, he is confident Chambers will justify the outlay with his versatility.
Wenger said: "He can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield. 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 will be the third youngster Wenger has signed from Southampton's academy after Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
His arrival may allow Carl Jenkinson to leave Arsenal, either on loan or permanently, with Hull among the teams interested.