Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are prepared to make a last-ditch move to persuade Arsenal into the sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The England international is in talks over a fresh Gunners deal with his contract due to expire in 12 months’ time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was used in multiple roles during the previous campaign, but it was not until his shift to the wing-back position did he manage to showcase some of his best qualities.
Despite this, The Ox is keen to replicate his performances at the heart of the midfield as he looks to idolise Steven Gerrard, who was a long-term servant for the Merseyside outfit.
“Playing for a team like Arsenal, it ends up being more of a right-wing job,” he told BT Sport following the FA Cup final last month. “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 FA Cup holders are currently in negotiations over a five-year deal with Oxlade-Chamberlain who stands the chance of earning wages of £100,000 plus a week, but the Reds are nevertheless planning to scupper the deal by offering a club-record £40m fee for the 23-year-old, according to reports in the Express.
Liverpool have been frustrated in their pursuit of AS Roma’s Mohamed Salah in recent days, and they have now shifted their attention towards Oxlade-Chamberlain in order to add more options to their attack ahead of next season.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is said to be reluctant to lose any of his key players this summer, and Oxlade-Chamberlain could be forced to honour the final year of his contract, should he declined a contract extension at the Emirates.
Alexis Sanchez appears to be already heading through the Gunners exit door, and the Chilean’s departure itself would leave a huge void to fill ahead of the 2017/18 season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoyed his best season in the Arsenal shirt last term as he amassed six goals and 11 assists in 45 outings across all competitions.
