Chelsea are reportedly ‘beating’ Liverpool and Manchester City to the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
After selling Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, Chelsea are reportedly on the look-out for a replacement and, according to the Sun, the Ox is the guy they want to bring on board.
Antonio Conte has also allegedly been looking at bringing on board want-a-way Everton midfielder, Ross Barkley, who’s a very similar player to the Ox. The Blues’ boss apparently wants to sign more home-grown players.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Ox all summer, as have City to a lesser extent. However, one thing all the reports have in common is that they’re convinced that the 23-year-old is leaving Arsenal very soon.
The Ox has a year left on his current deal and despite claims at the end of the 2016/17 season that he had actually agreed a new £100k-per-week deal, somewhere along the line, there seems to have been a sudden U-turn.
The England international is said to want regular football, which he was getting more of towards the end of last season with Arsenal. In fact, he made 29 Premier League appearances, which is the most he’s made for the Gunners since signing from Southampton in 2011.
Arsene Wenger is convinced that the Ox is staying put and the chances of Arsenal selling to a title rival are small. However, just like Alexis Sanchez, he could leave for free next year.
Will the club risk more than one first team player leaving on a bosman in 12 month’s time? Or is this all talk in order to get the most money possible now?