Chelsea are ready to pay up to £35million for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is a huge fan of the Arsenal midfielder and is stepping up his efforts to tempt him across London.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the Italian’s top targets and he is now poised to test Arsenal’s resolve to hang onto him.
The 23 year-old has just one year left on his contract and Conte hopes a big-money offer will persuade them to do business.
Conte wants to bolster his squad by bringing in four more players before the window slams shut.
And he has earmarked the England man to compete with his title-winning right-wing back Victor Moses, a position Oxlade-Chamberlain prefers over the left wing back role he has been deployed in during pre-season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Gunners contract talks have stalled though Wenger insisted the former Southampton youngster remains a big part of his plans.
He said: “I think in his career he had some bad moments because he had some small injuries. Last year he was much more stable.
“Personally, I think he is a hugely talented player. He is on the way up and he will continue to move up because that potential is there.
“He is today very conscious of his qualities as well, which he was not always, and I personally believe he will be a very great player.”