As Arsenal’s players were booed off the pitch against Crystal Palace, there was just one player who received a warm round of applause from the embittered away fans.
Amidst an abject 3-0 defeat for the Gunners, their supporters were keen to recognise the commitment and flare showed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has finally been showing his best form in recent weeks.
The England international is one of a number of players who is about to enter the final year of his contract. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil may have been grabbing the headlines, but Chamberlain is quietly attracting attention from Premier League rivals Liverpool.
According to the Telegraph, Jurgen Klopp is aware that Arsenal still haven’t held talks with the midfielder and hopes to exploit that situation by speaking to him about a move to Anfield.
Many clubs would think twice about signing the 23-year-old given that Arsenal have slapped a £35million price tag on his head, but Liverpool are reportedly happy to pay it.
What may seem a strange move on the face of it could actually work marvellously for the Merseyside outfit. Chamberlain could fit into their unconventional attack superbly and would have a chance to impress a new manager, never having consistently done that under Arsene Wenger.
It’s also looking increasingly possible that Liverpool will have another advantage over Arsenal next season: the offer of Champions League football.
They are right not to be put off by Wenger’s valuation of Chamberlain, as that’s all it is – a valuation. If the player does decide to leave, Liverpool should be able to take him for considerably less than that, as they will hold all the cards.
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