Chelsea are said to be favourites to sign Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, ‘beating out’ interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.

Chelsea are believed to be desperate to sign the Ox as they need to bolster their quota of homegrown players due to Premier League squad regulations. According to The Sun, that means Chelsea are ‘beating out’ competition from Liverpool and Manchester City to procure his signature.

The report doesn’t say why Oxlade-Chamberlain would choose Chelsea over those two clubs, however, or what the Blues have done to put themselves in a better position. The Sun’s article really amounts to saying ‘Chelsea want Chamberlain’ which we already knew.

The situation around the Arsenal man is uncertain, having rejected a contract extension  last season. A number of reasons for that have been given, although nobody is quite sure which it is.

It could be down to playing time, even though Oxlade-Chamberlain had the third-most appearances for Arsenal last season. It could be down to his position, with the 23-year-old playing as a wing-back, winger and central midfielder.

Whatever the reason, it seems that not all is right with the England international at Arsenal. However, that doesn’t mean the Gunners are looking to sell him, nor does it mean they will entertain bids from a Premier League rival.