Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offload Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Liverpool all set to sign the England international in the summer.
According to a report in The Independent, Arsenal are ready to sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in the summer transfer window as they are under pressure to cut their wage bill as part of the Premier League’s new cost control measures that are set to come into effect ahead of next season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects in England when Arsenal snapped him up from Arsenal in the summer of 2011. Since then, though, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career hasn’t really reached the heights that it promised to.
A spate of injuries, coupled with a regular shuffling of positions have meant that the player has struggled to nail down a regular spot in first-team setup at the Emirates.
2016/17 was more of the same as Oxlade-Chamberlain was deployed as a winger, central midfielder as well as a wing-back. The England international, though, did enjoy an upturn in form as he bagged 6 goals and 11 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions.
However, his future at Arsenal is up in the air as he has just 12 months remaining on his current deal with the club and a renewal hasn’t been offered. As a result, a summer move away from the Emirates is likely, with Liverpool the favourites to sign the player.
Jurgen Klopp is known to be an admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s talents, and with the Liverpool boss set to strengthen his squad ahead of a return to the Champions League next season, the player has emerged as a top target.
His versatility makes him a potential solution in both midfield and attack. But while the Reds have addressed their problems up front with the acquisition of Mohamed Salah, midfield remains a concern with Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson the only options for Klopp.
While Lallana has established himself as an indispensable figure for Liverpool, Can and Wijnaldum have blown hot and cold. On top of that, Henderson has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch due to a spate of injuries.
Hence, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a viable target for the Liverpool boss to consider with the player’s pace and directness two qualities that can potentially make him an asset in the first-team setup at Anfield. The Ox, too, will have the opportunity to play more regular football with the Reds while also having the chance to strut his stuff in Europe.
Therefore, Liverpool appear set to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer in a deal that could be worth £25 million. It now remains to be seen if Klopp is able to bring his target man to Anfield as he looks to build a squad capable of playing competitive football in the league and Europe.
