Liverpool have all but completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, after having agreed a £35million fee for the Englishman, a number of reliable sources have confirmed.
#LFC agree £35m fee with #Arsenal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after he snubbed #CFC.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) August 30, 2017
Done deal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining #LFC from Arsenal. He will undergo a medical at St George's Park tonight. Fee around £35m
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) August 30, 2017
BBC Sport’s David Ornstein too has reported the same news, albeit his update claims Liverpool will pay £40million for the 23-year old’s services.
Liverpool have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £40m #AFC #LFC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2017
Oxlade-Chamberlain to sign 6yr deal with #LFC & becomes Arsenal's all-time record departure fee. Unlikely that #AFC will sign a replacement
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2017
This comes in the wake of reports that Chelsea had bid £40million for his services but the player rejected the move in order to move to Anfield. It was reported that Oxlade-Chamberlain was interested in working with Jurgen Klopp and that he favours a move to the Merseyside. The Reds have now agreed to a fee with the Gunners and the medical for the player is set to take place at England’s St George’s training camp.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract ends next summer and has rejected all advances of Arsenal to extend his deal. Liverpool wanted to take advantage of this earlier in the summer but were told by Arsenal that they had no thoughts of selling him.
The Gunners tabled an improved contract for Oxlade-Chamberlain but the player made clear of his intentions that he sees his future elsewhere. This meant that Arsenal risked losing him for nothing next summer and were forced to put him on the transfer list.
Chelsea were looking to add players in the transfer window as Antonio Conte continues to crib over the lesser number of squad players at his disposal and quickly tabled an offer. Arsenal too were willing to do business with Chelsea but the player pulled the plug on the move in order to play under Klopp at Anfield. He believes that working with the German tactician will take his game to the next level.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently with the England national side preparing for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Malta. It was reported that national manager Gareth Southgate wanted him to sort out his future soon so that he can concentrate on national duties.
Oxlade-Chamberlain sees his future as a central midfielder and feels that he is more likely to get that chance at the Anfield than anywhere else. The midfielder has made 198 appearances for the Gunners since joining them in 2011. The Englishman will be Liverpool’s 5th summer signing having already brought in the likes of Salah, Solanke, Robertson and a deal to land Keita next summer.
Do you think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a good fit for Liverpool?
https://youtu.be/XDBRHOLr34E
