Arsenal transfer news: Manchester City planning Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move despite Arsene Wenger warning

Arsenal are yet to start contract talks with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Guardiola is known to be a fan of the England international

Jack de Menezes
Sunday 18 December 2016 11:29 GMT
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a January transfer target for Manchester City
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a January transfer target for Manchester City

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain heads to Manchester City for Arsenal’s Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium under fresh speculation that Pep Guardiola will try to sign him when the transfer window reopens in January.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed last week that contract talks have begun with a number of players, including Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it has since been revealed that the England international has not been spoken to about negotiating his current deal.

Wenger has previously insisted that he will not sell Oxlade-Chamberlain under any circumstances, but The Sun claims that Guardiola will proceed with a bid for the 23-year-old. Arsenal’s focus is currently on tying Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez down to new deals given they only have 18 months left on their current contracts, with both proving hard to reach a conclusion with.

Wenger’s public claim that talks had started with Oxlade-Chamberlain caught the midfielder by surprise, and the report adds that he will consider his personal options next month even if Arsenal reject any approach from City.

Guardiola is a known fan of Oxlade-Chamberlain after being impressed by his performance against Bayern Munich in 2014, and City are willing to hand him a significant pay rise from his current £70,000-a-week salary. Arsenal will also hand Oxlade-Chamberlain an increase of wages, although whether it would match City’s offer remains to be seen given the difference in what the two clubs pay their players.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to secure a regular berth in Arsene Wenger’s first-team in recent years, with a string of injuries and inconsistent form hampering his chances of enjoying a prolonged spell in the side.

City have a history of making big-name signings from Arsenal, with the likes of Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure all heading to north from the Emirates Stadium, while both Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta have retired from football to go on and take up coaching roles with the club.


Oxlade-Chamberlain has started the last four Premier League matches for Arsenal after coming into the side on the left of midfielder in place of Alex Iwobi, and got himself on the scoresheet in the 5-1 demolition of West Ham at the start of the month.

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