Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reportedly rejected a final contract offer from the north London club, favouring a move to Liverpool.
The England international is on Jurgen Klopp‘s radar as he plots to add to his squad for a busy 2017/18 campaign, with the Reds fighting on four fronts.
Having previously described speculation over his interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain as “nonsense,” Klopp’s summer pursuit seems genuine.
The 23-year-old has a year left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners still value him at £25 million.
But as the Times have reported this weekend, Oxlade-Chamberlain has turned down the opportunity to extend his terms with Arsenal, as he seeks a move away from north London.
He is said to favour a switch to Liverpool, with the lure of working under Klopp proving attractive to a player who would certainly suit his system.
Former Southampton team-mate Adam Lallana is presented as an example of Klopp’s coaching ability, with the 29-year-old arguably in the best form of his career last season.
However, Liverpool are reported to have had their initial approach for Oxlade-Chamberlain rebuffed by Arsenal.
It remains to be seen whether they return for the midfielder, but Arsenal would surely prefer to negotiate a move this summer rather than see him leave on a free transfer in 2018.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is said to be seeking assurances of regular game time rather than an increase in his salary, with Arsenal offering a significant improvement on his current terms.
It is difficult to see the midfielder slotting into a key role under Klopp at Liverpool, though, but with European football next season, he would certainly get plenty of opportunities.
His flexibility would certainly aid his cause, too, though speaking after Arsenal‘s 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final, he stressed his favoured position is in central midfield.
“Playing for a team like Arsenal, it ends up being more of a right-wing job,” he told BT Sport.
“I get to come from deeper, and that plays into my hands more…I prefer the ball to feet.
“At the end of the day, it’s given me minutes and I’ve loved starting games, so I’m not one to complain.
“But, the centre-mid role: I’ve always wanted to be Steven Gerrard, so I’ve still got a hope of that!”
There is a case to argue that Oxlade-Chamberlain could take up a similar role to Lallana in Klopp’s midfield, overlapping into attack and leading the press.
This latest development could prompt Liverpool to make an offer, but Klopp has other priorities in the window at this stage—namely Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita.
Fan Comments