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What’s the story?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected a move to Chelsea according to BBC Journalist, David Ornstein. The English midfielder was all set to join the Premier League champions after a £40 million fee was agreed with Arsenal.
Reports suggest that Chamberlain wanted to have a central role in the midfield but Antonio Conte wanted to use him as a Right Wing-Back. The talks with Chelsea were then stalled by the 23-year-old and he’s now keen on joining Liverpool, the only other club interested in signing him.
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Liverpool’s offer for Chamberlain is said to be lower than Chelsea’s and Gunners are not willing to sell for that fee. The Reds have just signed Naby Keita but he’ll only feature for them from next season.
Also read: Barcelona and Chelsea in active talks for £70 million star
In case you didn’t know...
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in the final year of his contract at Arsenal and is not interested in signing a new one at the club. He has rejected two new contract offers from them, reportedly worth £125,000 per week and £180,000 per week.
He said that he wanted to win trophies and move to a club that is challenging for the title every season. Chelsea and Liverpool were the only clubs interested in him and were in talks with Arsenal.
The heart of the matter
Chelsea were confident of sealing the deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain after they had agreed a fee with Arsenal for him. However, the player is not happy with the role he was offered at Chelsea and has rejected the move.
He is now keen on joining Liverpool but has to wait for the clubs to agree a deal for him. Arsenal are only willing to sell him if Liverpool match Chelsea’s offer but The Reds are not keen on paying such a high fee.
Also read: Chelsea set to sign £91 million rated striker
David Ornstein reports that he will ‘either join Liverpool or stay at Arsenal’ as he does not want to join Chelsea at all following their talks with him. The English midfielder wanted to play as a central midfielder but Chelsea already have Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko in that position and are also in talks with Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley.
What’s next?
Liverpool and Arsenal will hold talks and negotiate a fee for him. However, if they do not agree on one Chamberlain will have only two choices – join Chelsea or sign a new contract at Arsenal.
Author’s Take
The next 48 hours are going to be the most crucial period in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's career. If Liverpool and Arsenal don't agree a fee, he's back to square one.
He will have to sign a new contract in order to play regularly at Arsenal and that is something he does not want to do. Even if he moves to Liverpool, his chances of playing will be very less as they already have Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jorman Henderson, Marko Gruji? and even Philippe Coutinho (if he stays) to play as central midfielders.
