Liverpool agree £35m fee with Arsenal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as midfielder undergoes medical

Liverpool have taken their summer spending over £100 million by outmaneuvering Chelsea and agreeing a deal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The England midfielder was undergoing a Liverpool medical at the national squad’s training base at St George’s Park on Wednesday night ahead of a £35m move to Anfield. He earlier rejected the chance to join the Premier League champions.

His move to Merseyside will end a Liverpool chase for his signature which began six years ago, when Oxlade-Chamberlain was still at Southampton.

Liverpool’s ex-captain Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Jamie Carragher met Oxlade-Chamberlain and his father Mark at Melwood in 2011 in an effort to convince him to move north. Instead, he chose Arsenal, who he joined for £15m that summer.

Now Jurgen Klopp’s scouting team has been aided by glowing references from Liverpool’s current senior players, skipper Jordan Henderson and midfielder Adam Lallana among those who urged their club manager to bring their international team-mate to Anfield. Both have testified to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s quality and the dynamism he can bring to Klopp’s side.

Klopp also recalls how impressive Oxlade-Chamberlain was for Arsenal against his Borussia Dortmund team in the 2014 Champions League.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is the second major Liverpool signing in two days, albeit midfielder Naby Keita’s £48m switch from RB Leipzig is delayed until next summer.

It is a hugely-symbolic deal for Liverpool given they have beaten Chelsea to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s signature, while also taking a major player from a top-four rival. Arsenal were initially reluctant to do business with Liverpool but recognised they had no option but to sell or risk losing the player on a free transfer in 12 months when his contract expired. Oxlade-Chamberlain had rejected an offer of £180,000 a week at The Emirates.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is due to fly to Malta with the England squad on Thursday ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier and he will now complete the formalities of his Anfield switch prior to take-off.

Liverpool moved to secure the 24 year-old by matching Chelsea's £35m bid which was accepted on Monday. Oxlade-Chamberlain stalled on the move to Stamford Bridge as he waited to see if the Merseyside club would make an official approach. It was apparent his preference was to work with Klopp and there were suspicions all summer he would end up at Anfield as he refused to commit to Arsenal.

Will Philippe Coutinho move to Barcelona?
Will Philippe Coutinho move to Barcelona? Credit: AP

He even received applause from The Kop when being substituted during Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat on Sunday.

At Liverpool he can expect to play in a central midfield role, his athleticism and pace making him a prototype Klopp player.

It is telling he has opted to move to Liverpool for the benefit of his long-term career, despite the huge contract offer from Arsenal, believing his game will develop under Klopp having stalled under Arsene Wenger and uncertainty over his role at Chelsea. Chelsea saw Oxlade-Chamberlain as a potential wing-back, but the youngster feels he needs a prolonged run in a side utilising him in his preferred position.

Chamberlain was also considering his long-term international prospects. He wants to play central midfield for his country, too, and is also thought to have discussed his options with England coach Gareth Southgate as he weighed up the merits of moves to Liverpool and Chelsea.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain training with England
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain training with England Credit: ACTION IMAGES

Klopp’s squad is now looking formidable as the addition of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Dominic Solanke offers more strength in depth.

He will have a luxury of options in midfield, particularly when Lallana and Philippe Coutinho are available again. It is essential Klopp has a larger playing pool to deal with the extra demands of Europe, particularly given the intense, high-energy brand of football he demands from his squad.

Liverpool have been roundly criticised in the transfer market since losing their Champions League status, often accused of failing to make major statements with their business.

There are tangible signs times are changing and the Anfield club hopes it has not concluded its business for the summer as they continue to be one of the most active in the final days of the transfer window.

The focus over the final 24 hours is likely to be on Virgil van Dijk. Recruiting a dominant centre-back has also been one of Klopp’s priorities.

Virgil van Dijk is one of Liverpool's top targets
Virgil van Dijk is one of Liverpool's top targets Credit: GETTY IMAGES

The question remains whether Southampton will invite discussions or stand firm on their decision to keep the player rather than cash in on a deal which could be worth at least £70m.

Southampton have not wavered in their stance, while Liverpool vowed they would not make a unsolicited move. Such is the high valuation of the player – which Liverpool are prepared to meet – Van Dijk will hope his club finally shift their position. It will require expert diplomacy from the Anfield negotiators to conclude a deal.

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg are the latest to show interest in Liverpool striker Divock Origi. Origi will be allowed to leave on loan, although Liverpool will demand a loan fee of £6m.

Origi has seen himself fall down the pecking order at Anfield, not making the squad for the last two fixtures against Hoffenheim and Arsenal. With the arrival of Solanke, Origi’s opportunities are sure to be limited but there is no shortage of clubs ready to offer him a starting place.

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