Transfer story
In every transfer window, there is one name which is linked to a club week in week out and is a popular name among the fan base. The player linked with Liverpool by almost every English newspaper is of Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Three Lions international has been rumoured with a move to Anfield since many years now and with the Gunners stalling to offer a new deal to the winger, these rumours have grown in numbers and in terms of truth. The Express has also reported that the Reds are keen on breaking their transfer record by bidding a whopping £40 million for the “Ox”.
Chamberlain has just a year remaining on his current deal but with Arsenal currently concentrating on securing the future of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, his extension has been put on the back burner. If a bid this big comes up for Chamberlain, Arsenal would be more than happy to sell the highly inconsistent and injury plagued but a world class talent to Liverpool. They might give Yaya Sanogo as a bonus gift too in the deal!
Player stats
Chamberlain made 45 appearances in the 16/17 season but most of them came off the bench as he was seldom the first choice for Wenger. He managed 7 goals and 8 assists which do not justify the talent that he possesses. He improved on his goal ratio this season as in the year before that, Chamberlain had managed just three goals in all competitions. Ox was deployed in a number of positions for the Gunners and he still managed 2.3 dribbles per 90 minutes which are a brilliant return for the player who loves to take on defenders.
What he’ll offer to the club?
Chamberlain played as a winger, central midfielder, wing back (left and right) this campaign which just goes to show his maturity and versatility to fit in anywhere as the team demands. This quality might attract Liverpool to him but he has never been a good in front of goal throughout his career so a position on the wings seems highly unlikely for him. In midfield, Liverpool have better options than him at the moment so Klopp being so keen on him does not bode well with the logic as to where will he fit in at Liverpool.
Worth the money?
He is a world class prospect who is just 23 at the moment and can become a beast of a player but the Reds should be wary of many factors before signing him as Chamberlain should be a backup option for them this summer rather than a first choice and at £40 million, Liverpool should not opt for a player who will probably be just a backup option.
A player whose best position cannot be described even after years of playing is a highly inconsistent individual. His injury concerns will also prove to be disastrous for Klopp’s industrious style of play. For all these reasons, Chamberlain should only be targeted if the Reds mess up their other targets just as they did with Virgil Van Dijk’s case.
