Liverpool are set to smash their transfer record as they look to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal. The Express claims that we are set to table a bid of £40 million for the 23-year-old who enters the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates.

Oxlade-Chamberlain had a great end to the season playing as a wing-back but he has often spoken about his desire of playing in the heart of midfield, like club legend Steven Gerrard.

Speaking after the FA Cup Final win over Chelsea, the Englishman told BT Sport (h/t Mirror)

“Playing for a team like Arsenal, it ends up being more of a right-wing job

“I get the ball from deeper and that plays into my hands more.

“At the end of the day, it’s given me minutes and I’m not one to complain.

“But, the centre-mid role… I’ve always wanted to be Steven Gerrard, so I’ve still got a hope of that!”

The right player but at what price

This isn’t the first time we have been linked with a move for the Ox and he would be a handy player to have given his age and potential but £40 million is too much to pay for the 23-year-old.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is also set to be offered a bumper pay rise to stay on at Arsenal but he might see his future elsewhere given his desire to play in a more central role.

His great form continued in the last game as he scored for England in the 2-2 draw against Scotland and his value in the market is definitely on the rise.

The 23-year-old can be used out on the wings as well and is possibly another player that we see as a replacement for AS Roma’s Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian was set to move to Liverpool but our bad luck with transfers seems to have hit this deal as well.

The Kop Times Verdict

Oxlade-Chamberlain certainly is quality but it is to be seen if he is worth the price that we are willing to offer. The Englishman is on a purple patch of late and even if he does want to leave negotiating with Arsenal will not be easy.

We don’t have the best of terms ever since the Luis Suarez bid from the club a few years ago, and we don’t expect them to make it easy to sign the Ox. We can only wait and hope that the deal is wrapped up quickly and it doesn’t drag on like the other transfers this season.

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