The Gunners don’t want to lose the versatile midfielder and were initially confident he would sign a new deal but he’s refusing to sign an extension despite Arsenal’s best efforts to tie him down to fresh terms.
Oxlade-Chamberlain reportedly informed Wenger during talks last week that he wouldn’t sign a new contract after snubbing the Gunners’ latest offer of £180,000-a-week as he felt a move was best for his career.
Now it’s understood Wenger is happy to let the star midfielder go and have accepted a £40m deal with Chelsea.
Reports claim the Gunners don’t want to sell him to Liverpool as they see the Reds as a threat to their top four hopes and have instead opted to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea – which kind of doesn’t make sense but the report claims Wenger apparently believes the Blues are the genuine title challengers that are certain to finish in the top four.
The report says Chelsea are prepared to meet Arsenal’s £40m asking price so the move to Stamford Bridge should be wrapped-up before the window slams shut on Thursday night.
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