With no sign yet of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil extending their Arsenal contracts, the fans are getting more and more frustrated by the lack of solid information from the club. The same thing applies to the much younger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has never been given regular game-time over the years by Arsene Wenger until he put him as a wing back in the Gunners new formation.
But right now the 24 year-old is in a position of strength as he is in the last year of his contract, and according to a report in today’s Times he has decided that he would prefer regular playing time at another club, rather than the reported pay rise on offer at Arsenal.
This stance has been further complicated by the fact that Arsenal dismissed out-of-hand a bid last week from Liverpool, despite the Ox liking the idea of playing under Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool are also reported to be chasing the Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, who plays a similar role to Oxlade-Chamberlain. The local source of the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce doesn’t see Oxlade-Chamberlain being first choice at Anfield either if Keita arrives.
Pearce said: “Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t viewed as being the back-up option to [Naby] Keita.
“Liverpool have interest in both and getting Keita wouldn’t necessarily mean they don’t pursue Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“The situation with Oxlade-Chamberlain is that Liverpool made an enquiry to Arsenal a while back and were told he wasn’t available.
“Clearly, a lot hinges on what happens over his contract.
“If the stand-off over a new deal continues then Arsenal will reluctantly sell.”
If Arsenal lose Oxlade-Chamberlain as well as Alexis Sanchez then Wenger will really have to pull out all the stops in the transfer market to find quality replacements. Or the atmosphere at the Emirates when the season starts could be very gloomy…..
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