Chelsea are reportedly growing confident of completing a £35m deal for Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

James Olley has claimed in the Evening Standard that although no fee has yet been agree, negotiations are ongoing and Chelsea believe that a deal is possible.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is now in the final year of his Arsenal contract, and so there have been rumours that he may leave the club, especially given that he doesn’t seem to be assured of a place in the current formation and has the World Cup next year to think about.

The article claims Arsenal haven’t said they won’t sell the Englishman this summer, but Arsene Wenger has actually been very clear that he doesn’t want to lose the 23-year-old.

He said after the Gunners’ pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers: “Yes. 100% I expect him to stay. No matter the speculation, he will stay.”

It’s hard to call that a half-hearted assurance. Oxlade-Chamberlain is still clearly considered an important member of the squad and perhaps Wenger is also looking to the future with the player still yet to reach his peak.

Capable of playing in so many positions for Arsenal – full-back, wing-back, central midfield and on the wing – I believe the Ox is too valuable for the Gunners to part with him this summer.

If they can’t tie him down to a new contract, I guess maybe they have to sell to get value from him.