Liverpool have reportedly made a direct enquiry to Arsenal over Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain ahead of a swoop for the £25m-rated star.
The 23-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his current contract with the Gunners, which in turn has sparked speculation over where his future lies.
According to The Mirror, Liverpool have made their move for the England international, and although Arsenal have rejected that initial approach, it’s claimed that contract talks with the versatile ace have reached an impasse which will only fuel speculation he could leave this summer.
Jurgen Klopp is a long-term admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain, and a move to Anfield to link up with the German tactician could be an ideal solution for the midfielder as it would undoubtedly help with his development over the next few years.
Manchester City and Chelsea are also specifically mentioned in the report as interested parties, and as talk continues to centre around an inability between Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arsenal to agree on new terms, he’s likely to be edging closer and closer to the exit door.
Arsenal have their hands full this summer as they will also hope to sign Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to long-term deals, while also trying to bring in new faces to strengthen the squad.
Arsene Wenger and the club hierarchy will again receive criticism for leaving it so long as we’re now deep into the summer and it doesn’t appear as though any progress has been made as of yet.
It would be a major blow in itself for Arsenal to see Oxlade-Chamberlain leave as he is coming off the back of arguably his best season yet. Further, to leave to join a direct rival such as Liverpool will make it even worse, and so it remains to be seen whether or not all hope of a contract renewal is over.