Oxlade-Chamberlain tells Wenger today he’s joining Chelsea
By: Linus Onyeze Share:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to tell Arsene Wenger he wants to join Chelsea today.
Chelsea have made a fresh approach for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and are confident of landing the Arsenal winger before the close of the transfer window.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has just one year left on his current deal and will be available to move for free next summer, but Chelsea are still willing to spend the big bucks this window to land the England international, who they fear could sign an extension if they don’t act now.
Chamberlain is due to meet Arsene Wenger today, and the Blues hope he will tell the Arsenal manager that he wants to move to Stamford Bridge. With Chelsea now stepping up their interest, under the orders of head coach Antonio Conte, it is unlikely the 24-year-old will change his stance, even if Arsenal offer fresh terms worth more than £100,000 a week.
That would make it incredibly tough for Wenger to maintain his stance that Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be sold this month. Wenger could be left with the scenario of either selling Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea now or watching him join for free in 12 months.
Conte is personally pushing for the signing of a player he believes would be a vital addition to his squad because of his versatility.
Other than bidding £35 million for Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chelsea are still working towards finding an agreement for Danny Drinkwater, who Leicester City value at £40 million, and are refusing to give up on £25 million Ross Barkley, despite Tottenham Hotspur leading the chase for the Everton midfielder.
Ideally, Chelsea want to complete deals for all three Englishmen before the transfer window closes next Thursday and have not yet given up on left-back Alex Sandro, despite Juventus publicly claiming he will not be sold.
