Chelsea are moving closer to securing the signature of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal.
The England international is expected to soon commence talks over personal terms for a switch across London that will constitute a major blow to Arsenal, who had hoped to convince Oxlade-Chamberlain to extend his contract.
As Standard Sport first reported earlier this month Antonio Conte’s side are confident that a £35million fee will be enough to convince Arsenal to part with Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose contract expires at the end of this season.
Though Arsenal have been publically reluctant to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain their willingness to make Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez see out the final years of their contract has forced their hand over the midfielder.
Oxlade-Chamberlain declined the offer of new terms at the Emirates after talks with manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis last week having become frustrated with his inconsistent position in the side.
The 24-year-old has long coveted a central midfield role but has rarely been given an extended run of games in that position under Wenger, who once more started him at right wing-back in Sunday’s 4-0 loss at Anfield, where Oxlade-Chamberlain particularly struggled.
Blues boss Conte is likely to continue with Oxlade-Chamberlain in wide areas for the time being but the England international also believes that a change of scenery could bring the consistency he has struggled for throughout his six year career in north London.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently with the England squad but could if required undergo a medical at St George’s Park ahead of the move.
Speaking after Sunday's humiliating defeat at Anfield Wenger admitted he was not in a position to offer guarantees over Oxlade-Chamberlain's future.
“That’s not the kind of question I can answer after a game like that.
“I think we are focused on the game, what will happen on the transfer market in the next three to four days I don’t know.”
Chelsea had been rivalled by Liverpool in the race to secure the England international but it appears their path is clearer after the Reds’ focus moved to Monaco star Thomas Lemar and RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.
