Arsenal transfer news: Gunners ‘feel they will HAVE to sell Chelsea target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’ after failing to offload fringe players
The Gunners must first sell unwanted players before they can bring in new recruits, according to reports
ARSENAL may be forced to sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they attempt to get players off their books.
The Mirror claims that the Gunners have large number of surplus players who they must sell before they can sign new recruits.
The reports also states that the north London club are desperately trying to offload fringe players as they could cause financial issues in keeping all of the big names.
And a failure to clear the decks have restricted Arsenal in the transfer market as they were reluctant to push for the signing of Thomas Lemar until they sold some of their unwanted stars.
Chelsea could use the Gunners apparent willingness to sell players to their advantage and lodge an a new bid for the England international after having a reported £25 million offer rejected last week.
The former Southampton midfielder has been on the brink of a move all summer long, with Liverpool reportedly also interested.
Recently, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been quick to assure fans Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud will not be leaving the club.
However, the Frenchman – who’ll be relieved following Arsenal’s thrilling late comeback win over Leicester on Friday – is yet to reassure fans over Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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Antonio Conte is keen to bolster his squad further before the transfer window ends after a disappointing pre-season was followed by a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Blues Premier league opener.
Chelsea have already signed Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata and Willy Caballero this summer.
The Blues fell to a horrendous 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley in their opening Premier League game as their lack of options was all too apparent.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, has just 12 months left on his current deal — and is believed to have told Arsene Wenger he is ready for a change.