Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain edging closer to Arsenal exit and £40million switch to Chelsea
England international is set to leave the Emirates as Arsene Wenger has given up on convincing the midfielder to stay after turning down £180,000-a-week offer
ARSENAL star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is closing in on a £40m switch to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The England winger has just one-year left on his contract and turned down a fresh £180,000-a-week deal last week.
Arsene Wenger has now given up hope of trying to persuade him to stay and will let him leave the club before deadline day.
Chelsea are hoping to snap-up the 24-year-old in a cut-price deal, with such little time left on his contract.
But the Gunners want between £35m and £40m, as they look to raise much-needed funds for transfers.
Liverpool are also one of the clubs in the race to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain within the coming days.
Blues boss Antonio Conte has already had a £30m bid for the ex-Southampton ace turned down earlier this month.
He is unhappy with his wing-back role and wants to play in central midfield or out wide, where he is more naturally suited.
The Ox looked like he was ready to leave yesterday after the Gunners were humiliated 4-0 by Liverpool.
He had a shocking match, out of position a number of times and barely causing a threat down the wing.
Arsenal are in chaos at present with a number of first-team stars wanting to leave the Emirates.
Alexis Sanchez is desperate to quit, wanting to join a club who can compete for the Champions League and titles.
Mesut Ozil still has not signed a new contract, even though he has just one-year left on his deal.
And Wenger is struggling to off-load his flops who are on huge wages, putting off other clubs.
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