It’s an Arsenal Oxodus as Chelsea agree £35m fee

ALEX Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to kick-off a week of highprofile exits at Arsenal this week after Chelsea agreed a £35million fee for the midfielder. The two Premier League clubs have struck a deal for the England international to move to Stamford Bridge before Thursday’s transfer deadline. However, Liverpool retain an interest and are considering whether to match Chelsea’s offer in a move that would leave Oxlade-Chamberlain with a decision to make. But Chelsea are confident their move for the 24-year-old is too far down the line for Liverpool to hijack and the player could have part of his medical while on international duty at St George’s Park this week.

Sportsmail were first to reveal Chelsea’s move for OxladeChamberlain on August 9, as the Gunners rejected an initial £25million bid. But talks have continued and the clubs have now reached an agreement on the former Southampton star. Arsenal have offered OxladeChamberlain a new £180,000per-week contract, but the England star has shown a reluctance to commit. The Gunners had been slow in offering OxladeChamberlain (right) a new deal, leaving themselves exposed to losing him for nothing when his contract expires next summer. And despite Arsene Wenger insisting the versatile midfielder would be ‘100 per cent’ staying, Arsenal have been forced to sanction his sale. Oxlade-Chamberlain must now negotiate personal terms with Chelsea before sealing a switch across London. He is set to become the first of a number of departures at Arsenal this week. Shkodran Mustafi is set for a transfer to Inter Milan in a move that would see the Germany international leave on a season-long loan before signing on a permanent deal worth in excess of £20million next summer. England international Kieran Gibbs is to move to Watford after the clubs agreed a £7million fee for the out-of-favour left back. And Lucas Perez is also likely to leave, with a return to former club Deportivo La Coruna in the offing.