Liverpool battle Chelsea for Oxlade-Chamberlain
LIVERPOOL are rivalling Chelsea in the race to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Jurgen Klopp has a long-standing interest in the Arsenal star and the Anfield club are understood to have stepped up their interest ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
But Chelsea have been front runners to land the England midfielder, bidding £25 million, which was rejected by the Gunners.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 24, is set to reject a new £180,000 a week contract at the Emirates Stadium, paving the way for his potential exit this week. Arsenal are adamant they don’t want to sell, but an offer in-excess of £35m will provide Arsene Wenger with a big question to answer.
The Arsenal manager may offer an indication of his intentions when he picks his team to face Liverpool this afternoon.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has established himself in the starting XI in recent months, but losing his place could indicate that Wenger is preparing to sell.
It is set to be a busy final few days of the transfer window for Arsenal. Kieran Gibbs is set to leave after a £7m fee was agreed with Watford for the left-back.
They are also open to selling Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez just 12 months after signing the pair.
Germany defender Mustafi is interesting Inter Milan and Juventus while Perez is set for a return to Deportivo La Coruna.
Wenger could revive his interest in West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans if Mustafi departs.
Albion rejected an £18m bid from Manchester City for their captain, but are resigned to losing him.
Wenger failed in a bid to sign the 29-year-old last year.
But City remain favourites to sign the star shaped by rivals Manchester United. Evans is still based in the northwest, and ideally placed for life at the Etihad Stadium.