Liverpool have been dealt a somewhat expected setback in their ongoing pursuit of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after it had initially appeared the Reds were in a strong position to sign the midfielder.
The Englishman boasts a place high on Jurgen Klopp’s transfer wishlist and has been strongly linked to a summer move to Anfield having reportedly refused Arsenal’s final contract offer.
In what has been labelled an an exclusive, the Daily Star have claimed that the Londoners have no intention of selling the 23-year-old to Liverpool.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is entering the final year of his contract, thereby meaning Arsenal would sooner lose him for free at the end of next season rather than grant him a move to Merseyside.
That said, the player’s apparent desire to work with Klopp at Liverpool suggests a transfer is still on the cards, especially if his reported £25million price-tag is met.
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His notable pace, power and explosive attacking qualities have seen him identified as a perfect fit to Liverpool’s approach and setup.
Though Klopp would be unable to promise him the regular starting spot he craves, the German would be able to offer him a chance to play in his preferred central midfield role.
The club’s pursuit of Oxlade-Chamberlain is one that looks set to drag out alongside a proposed move for RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita.