With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turned down a new deal to push a move to Liverpool, Arsenal have a big decision to make on whether they let him leave this summer or the next.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Oxlade-Chamberlain wants out as he his career can thrive under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, more than it would under Arsene Wenger who has played him in a host of positions and never allowed him to nail down a starting place.
His deal is up in 12 months so Arsenal will either need to sell him now or lose him for free next summer. Should they opt to cash in now, Arsenal could double the £11m paid to sign him from Southampton in 2011, with reports hinting at a £25m asking price.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has gone on to make more than 190 appearances for the Gunners but has still failed to hold down a regular starting place in the side and his exit will be a shock. The 23-year-old made 29 Premier League appearances last season, 16 of them being starts, but he played in a host of positions and never nailed down one role under Wenger.
While impressing at wing-back and midfield, the industrious player wants an identity and doesn’t feel things will get better if he stays at the Emirates Stadium. It’s somewhat insulting for Wenger that a fringe player believes Liverpool are a more attractive proposition.
But what will Arsenal do? Will they try and earn £25m by selling this summer? Or is he worth keeping for another season, where they could attempt to have him sign a new deal in 2017/18?