Liverpool are reportedly keen on Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
According to The Guardian, Liverpool are plotting a surprise January move for Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – but animosity between the two clubs could scupper a deal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, now 23, joined Arsenal from Southampton way back in 2011, just days before he turned 18, as he had impressed with ten goals in 43 games with the Saints.
Whilst always seen as a player with great potential, Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to nail down a regular place in the Arsenal side, with many suggesting that he should move on for the sake of his career.
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action with Stoke City’s Joe Allen and Erik Pieters
Now, The Guardian report that Oxlade-Chamberlain – who has hit six goals and five assists in 23 appearances this season – is interesting a Premier League rival, as Liverpool are believed to be eyeing up a January move.
The Reds have impressed going forward this season, but have a lack of depth out wide, which has forced strikers Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge into playing on the wings at times this term.
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gestures
With Sadio Mane set to join up with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations next week, Liverpool need a pacey right-sided winger to replace a key part of their side – and it’s claimed that the Reds have identified Oxlade-Chamberlain as a possible candidate.
The Guardian state that Liverpool are hoping to tempt Arsenal with an offer inside the final 18 months of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract at the Emirates Stadium, but two factors are noted as reasons why a deal looks difficult to pull off.
Firstly, both Arsenal and Liverpool are vying for the title or at least a top four place, meaning the Gunners won’t want to strengthen a direct rival, whilst animosity between the two clubs over Arsenal’s 2013 bid for then-Liverpool hitman Luis Suarez hasn’t been resolved, making any deal appear unlikely.
Given Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ability to play as an attack-minded central midfielder as well as a winger, he seems to fit perfectly into Klopp’s vision at Liverpool, and snapping up a young English player would surely go down well with Reds fans, but whether Arsenal would sell to Liverpool remains to be seen.
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