How should Arsenal react to Liverpool target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s decision on his future?

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Arsenal face a tough decision in the remaining two months of the transfer window, as The Times claim that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is prepared to see out the remaining year on his Arsenal contract and leave for free next summer. The news comes days after the Gunners rebuffed a direct approach from Liverpool enquiring into the England international.

The midfielder reportedly sees regular game time as his biggest priority and is prepared to risk his Arsenal career by running down his contract in order to force a move away from the Emirates. That is in spite of a bumper new contract offer, which included a substantial pay rise.

With a World Cup next summer and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the fringe of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, it seems that exiling him from the squad would not be a productive move for either party. For now, though, that may be the greatest threat up Arsene Wenger’s sleeve in negotiations.

The alternative may be to sell the midfielder this summer. However, having rejected Liverpool’s enquiry so abruptly, it would seem that club bosses have no intention of doing so. With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil also both entering into the final years of their contract, the club may want to be seen to take a tough stance.

Equally, they will not want to miss out on substantial transfer fees that could prove pivotal in their search for replacements. A figure of £25 million has been suggested by the Independent – a substantial amount – particularly for a player who could move for free in 12 months time.

There remains hope for Arsenal though. Given that Liverpool already possess a number of talented players in midfield and attack, with Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to be competing with the likes of Adam Lallana, Georgino Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and potentially even Naby Keita for an advanced midfield role, their interest may fade over the next year.

If that is the case, there are bound to be other suitors, but it may be enough to persuade the former Southampton man to commit to his Arsenal future as insurance.

What is clear is that the sooner a solution can be found, the better for all parties. Relations between Arsenal and Liverpool remain frictious since the London club’s bizarre £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suarez in 2013, and this is unlikely to help matters.

At 23 years of age, Oxlade-Chamberlain is understandably desperate for regular football and with a World Cup on the horizon, he cannot afford to spend a season in the wilderness of the far corners of the Arsenal training ground.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Emrah Partal.