According to recent reports, Manchester City are ready to capitalise on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s current contract situation and offer £25m to sign the talented Englishman in the January transfer window.

This is just one of many rumours that slip through the net and here are reasons why this particular link isn’t a credible one to believe.

To begin with, why would he leave now? He’s enjoying his best season in terms of overall contribution to goals. Six assists as well as six goals of his own in all competitions. has warranted more minutes in the first team, and it’s evident that he’s maturing in the attacking third.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on December 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on December 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Arsène Wenger has already publicly stated the fact that he wants to keep the 23-year-old, and given his desire to play matches on a more regular basis, there’s ultimately no guarantee that he would feature heavily for Manchester City if he opted for pastures new.

Pep Guardiola is said to be a big admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain, having watched him performing well against his Bayern Munich side in the Champions League previously.

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 11: Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) of Muenchen and his team mate Thiago Alcantara (C) challenge Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on March 11, 2014 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 11: Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) and his Bayern Munich team-mate Thiago Alcantara (C) challenge Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match at Allianz Arena on March 11, 2014 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

It comes as no surprise given his ability and potential to further improve in future, but given their rich squad depth, where would he play?

David Silva, Nolito, Leroy Sané, Jesús Navas and Raheem Sterling are all players who can operate on either flank, and it’s unlikely he’d be deployed as a central midfielder in spite of *that* performance against AC Milan four years ago.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal leaps over the tackle of Mark van Bommel of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal and AC Milan at Emirates Stadium on March 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 06: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal leaps over the tackle of Mark van Bommel of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal and AC Milan at Emirates Stadium on March 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

He’s currently on weekly wages in the region of £70,000-a-week, and City have more than enough financial flexibility within their wage budget to double his earnings. That being said, he is expected to get a wage increase in north London, provided he stays at the club.

If money was the main motivation for Alex, it’s evident that he would’ve left a season or two ago. He is genuinely focused on continuing to get minutes under his belt on a consistent basis, performing well and aiming for an injury-free campaign, so this transfer rumour doesn’t carry much credibility.