Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Arsenal man turns down £40m Chelsea move

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments635

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal from Southampton in August 2011

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has turned down a move to Chelsea after the Premier League clubs agreed a £40m fee.

Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the Blues planned to use him at wing-back, and his primary reason for wanting to leave Arsenal is to play in central midfield.

The 24-year-old England international wants to move to Liverpool and the Anfield club are interested in a deal.

A bid is expected before Thursday's transfer deadline, although it will be short of the £40m Chelsea offered.

Should a move not transpire, Oxlade-Chamberlain will see out the final year of his contract before potentially leaving on a free transfer next summer.

Arsenal want any deal for the former Southampton midfielder completed as quickly as possible.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has started every game for the Gunners so far this season, including Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Liverpool, when he was substituted.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had made it clear he wanted to add further to his squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 198 appearances for Arsenal since joining them from Southampton in August 2011.

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635 comments

  • Comment posted by tashyboy, at 21:39 28 Aug 2017

    What the hell is going on at Arsenal.

  • Comment posted by MFH07, at 21:38 28 Aug 2017

    Not an arsenal fan but I don't blame the likes of chamberlain, Sanchez, ozil not signing contracts. One by one will leave by Thursday.

  • Comment posted by Progen, at 21:42 28 Aug 2017

    He seems to be a bit hit and miss for Arsenal, not sure what Chelsea see in him to be honest. Seems to have been around for years but has never really stood out. Maybe Chelsea can get the best out of him but I fear he will be stuck on the bench.

    I don't think he will be missed by Arsenal and as a Liverpool fan I am glad we are not signing him.

  • Comment posted by bean43, at 21:47 28 Aug 2017

    One good game in 3, Arsenal should take any offer over 25 million and cash the cheque 9am tomorrow morning.

  • Comment posted by jay, at 21:41 28 Aug 2017

    I'm not an Arsenal fan but!!, what is going on ! Is it time Wenger steps down ?, I think too many players not caring about playing for the gunners, too much money about now, players don't have to earn it anymore it's just given to them.

  • Comment posted by Killingholme_Clay , at 21:50 28 Aug 2017

    Showed his class against Liverpool. Well worth a free transfer.

    What? £35 Million? The world has gone mad.

  • Comment posted by anirockz, at 21:39 28 Aug 2017

    Watch him become a top player under Conte.

  • Comment posted by Aylix, at 21:50 28 Aug 2017

    Chamberlain is the same ilk as Walcott, it is always 'next season he will be world class'
    Next season always arrives and there is never a huge improvement.

    I can't see how he will improve Chelsea's starting XI , and assume he will be a squad player.

  • Comment posted by mjh611, at 21:55 28 Aug 2017

    Preseason started well for Arsenal. Got Kolasinac and Lacazette early looked to have a strong squad. But now with Ox wanting to leave, the uncertainty over Alexis, then Gabriel leaving and rumours of Mustafi leaving just can't understand what's going on? Mustafi is the weirdest one!? Only bought him a year ago for £35m, why the hell would they let him leave on loan a year later?

  • Comment posted by Billybeen, at 21:44 28 Aug 2017

    Welcome to a season on the subs bench son

  • Comment posted by Pedro, at 22:40 28 Aug 2017

    I grew up with footballer who were not athletes. Now all we have athletes who aren't footballers. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a perfect example. Feet work faster than his brain. No composure or maturity even after all this time. Front of goal a lot and yet scores once in a blue moon. Couldn't care less that he is leaving - and I am an Arsenal fan.

  • Comment posted by Thirtysomething, at 21:48 28 Aug 2017

    Finally some good news for arsenal. One down few more to go..

  • Comment posted by Baztheace1, at 22:16 28 Aug 2017

    Liverpool was the wake up call. The Board say we are going nowhere so sorry Arsene the Ox has to go so we can make some more money and will Alexis be a last minute buy this week for City. The Arsenal Board rip their fans off with the highest prices in the land for some of the poorest disinterested performances you will ever see.The Arsenal fans take it so no sympathy from football fans worldwide

  • Comment posted by constable, at 22:19 28 Aug 2017

    Good riddance to bad rubbish.

    O-C typifies everything that is wrong at Arsenal. A fair weather player who turns in a performance once in every five.

    What I don't understand is why Chelsea would want him. They must be desperate, or mad.

  • Comment posted by The secret pundit, at 21:46 28 Aug 2017

    Ox won't be a starter for Chelsea so I am unsure why he agreed to the move. Inconsistent at best. Good that Arsenal got rid - can the Gunners now go for Renato Sanchez as a replacement?

  • Comment posted by christianf, at 22:00 28 Aug 2017

    Saying no to 180K per week at the age of 24.

    Have to say, pleased Liverpool were not his destination, he would not get in the present team !

  • Comment posted by jayfrenchcool, at 21:42 28 Aug 2017

    Begs the question why Wenger started him on Sunday if he was planning to let him go? Or is Wenger now that clueless. More worrying is the lack of recruitment plan this transfer window by arsenal, how will they replace him this late in the window?

  • Comment posted by OGG- OrigiGoalGangsta, at 21:53 28 Aug 2017

    Not sure where he'll fit in (Moses? Eventual replacement for Fabregas? Alternative to Pedro?) but a decent signing. After yesterday's performance I'm glad we didn't get him though!

    The fact he's rejecting Arsenal really means there's trouble over there. Shame, I hope Wenger yet again confounds critics, but it seems bleak with players not extending contracts, sulking. They need a mass clear out.

  • Comment posted by anonymouse, at 21:46 28 Aug 2017

    Chelsea needed the English passport.

    The Ox has just ruined his career for some money.

  • Comment posted by Anhar21, at 22:40 28 Aug 2017

    People also wondered why Chelsea bought Marcos Alonso for £30m, apparently he was a "panic buy"...turns out he's the best LB in the league.

    They also questioned Conte why he'd keep Moses on...he was integral for our team last season.

    People questioning Conte for buying Oxlade Chamberlain are clueless at best. If Conte can make Alonso and Moses great, he can make Chamberlain great too.

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