Earlier this summer, it was said that West Ham and Aston Villa were considering moves for Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Manchester United supposedly held an interest as well, but now, all three will have to look elsewhere.
What’s the story?
Well, the £125,000-a-week man has now suffered what Jürgen Klopp describes as a “serious” hamstring injury.
As quoted by Liverpool’s official website, the German said: “It’s a serious hamstring injury and it will take longer (than Caoimhin Kelleher’s injury). But it’s a hamstring, and we all hate this word, we hate the injury but anyway it happens from time to time and now Ox was the one.”
Now, that is devastating news for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has struggled badly with injuries in recent years.
The England international could only make eight starts in the Premier League last season as he often found himself in the treatment room, and after picking up another issue during the friendly against Crystal Palace, his chances of a fresh start elsewhere are over – for now at least.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has also entered the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield, so unless he signs a new deal, he now seems likely to leave on a free transfer next summer.
Maybe then David Moyes and Steven Gerrard can resurrect their interest in the 28-year-old, but for now, they are highly unlikely to sign him following his serious hamstring injury.
West Ham & Aston Villa have alternatives
Fear not West Ham and Aston Villa fans – your respective sides have alternatives to Oxlade-Chamberlain.
In Steven Gerrard’s case, he is trying to sign Porto playmaker Otavio, and a bid worth £25.9m was supposedly being prepared at Villa Park.
However, Aston Villa face competition from Gerrard’s beloved Liverpool.
In regards to West Ham, Moyes has submitted a bid for Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, and is also in talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt No.10 Filip Kostic.
Keep an eye on both clubs, as we expect them to do more business before the transfer deadline.
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