Football: The Ox to Leave Arsenal?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has often been described as the next Theo Walcott, Thierry Henry or whoever. But at the age of 23, the one-time future Arsenal legend (according to Gooners) has really fallen off the rails. Having made 29 Premier League appearances last season, including 13 as a substitute, and just nine starts the season before, the England midfielder seems unable to break into an Arsenal side that has had holes in every position. Despite seeing himself as a central midfielder, he made more impact last season as a wing-back. Some might argue that instead of becoming a main man for Arsene Wenger he has become a utility man. In the past three seasons the ex-Southampton player has been used in six different positions. There are not many world-class players who have done that, which is why he is still bracketed as a squad player.

Where next?

The Ox arrived at Arsenal for £15m as a 17-year-old, which immediately raised eyebrows as Manchester United and Liverpool had chased him before he chose London as his preferred home. Every summer since then he has been linked to a move away from the Gunners but the rumours are really gathering pace now with Liverpool on Arsenal’s tail.

The Merseyside club looks to have failed in a bid to lure Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah from Roma and Jurgen Klopp’s second choice seems likely to be the cheaper alternative in Chamberlain. The Reds aren’t alone in the hunt, with Italian club Lazio also in pursuit if Arsenal fails to agree a new contract with Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Aside from Liverpool and Lazio, French goal-machines Lyon have been keen to recruit more players from the Premier League after their success with Memphis Depay and Rafael De Silva last season. But rumours at Arsenal suggest Chamberlain may be offered £100,000 a week to stay, which would rule out the likes of Lazio and Lyon because of their wage structures.

Lazio and Lyon will struggle to finance a deal for the England midfielder however I believe West Ham United could make a late attempt to snap him up.

Although the Hammers haven’t been mentioned too often this summer in regard to a move for Oxlade-Chamberlain, the club has previously been linked to him and he may like the idea of staying in London.

What can we expect?

Liverpool desperately need a couple of signings to settle the nerves that have come from the Virgil Van Dijk transfer meltdown but the Ox wage demands could be a big problem for the Merseyside club given that it is now battling out an expensive deal with Emre Can.

I believe Liverpool’s struggle to sign world-class players in this window will leave Klopp no option but to make a move for the Ox but I can see it being a signing that comes late in the transfer window.

 

by Nubaid Haroon

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