Arsenal defender Calum Chambers is due to have a medical at Fulham tomorrow ahead of a proposed season-long loan at Craven Cottage.

The 23 year-old centre back has been a longstanding Fulham target with the Whites’ attempts to sign him on a permanent basis earlier in the summer being rebuffed by new Arsenal manager Unai Emery. Chambers signed a new four-year contract at the Emirates last month, but is willing to join the newly promoted club on loan in order to get regular first team football.

Fulham moved to add reinforcements in defence after it emerged that new signing Alfie Mawson might not make his debut until September as he seeks to build up his fitness following knee surgery. Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic alluded to his desperation to bring in more defensive cover after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo in their final pre-season friendly and the Londoners made an audacious bid to take Colombian defender Yery Mina on loan from Barcelona late last week.

Chambers, who has won three England senior caps, has made 83 appearances for Arsenal since moving to the Emirates from Southampton in an £18m deal four years ago. His versatility means he could cover at least two problem positions for Fulham – centre back, where the Whites are without Denis Odoi for the first two league games of the season after his sending off in the play-off final, and right back, where there is a lack of experienced cover for Cyrus Christie.