Liverpool are open to letting Arsenal target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave in January if they can recoup a reasonable fee for the midfielder.
According to The Mirror, Liverpool have kept the doors open for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to depart the club if they can get a reasonable fee for the midfielder amid interest from Arsenal. The England international has come back after a difficult spell on the sidelines but finds game time hard to come by.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain felt like a shrewd signing for Liverpool, signing him from Arsenal in 2017. He always wanted to transform into a midfielder but always found himself played on the wings by former Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who was reluctant to use him centrally.
However, Jurgen Klopp found space in the centre for him and achieved short-term success. With him in the side, Liverpool reached the Champions League final in the first season, while winning the competition next term. Oxlade-Chamberlain also helped the Reds win the Premier League.
He suffered a serious injury early on during last season, which ruled him out for four months. However, he has only started four games since returning, which is alarmingly low given his quality. Furthermore, Liverpool youngsters Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot have overtaken him in the pecking order.
At 28, Oxlade-Chamberlain will harbour ambitions to feature in the England setup again, especially at the World Cup next year. He needs to be playing regularly at the top level to be recognised for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
As the latest reports suggest, Arsenal are interested in re-signing him from Liverpool. He spent at least six good seasons at the Emirates and maintained a good relationship with manager Mikel Arteta, as both played together under Wenger.
Arsenal reportedly wants him on an initial six-month loan deal in January while holding the option to make the signing permanent during the summer. Oxlade-Chamberlain is seemingly keen on the opportunity if it provides him more chances to play regularly at the top level, something he’d find it hard at Liverpool this season.
The Reds are open to letting him leave if offered a reasonable transfer fee for the midfielder. Liverpool have carved a reputation to earn top dollar for even their fringe talents in recent windows. Given Oxlade-Chamberlain’s quality, they would certainly want to recoup a major chunk of the £35 million they paid Arsenal.
In the next few weeks, things are expected to clear up on the future of Oxlade-Chamberlain. Whether he moves to Arsenal or somewhere else remains to be seen. However, Arteta could very well do with a player of his quality to shore up his midfield options at the Emirates.
