Aston Villa are reportedly in “advanced talks” with Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain over a free transfer to the club this summer.
The 29-year-old joined the Reds back in the summer of 2017, coming in as an exciting signing from Arsenal and impressing in his first season.
Sadly, a cruciate ligament suffered against Roma in the Champions League semi-final second leg late in the campaign kept him over for a long period of time, and he has never really managed to be a vital part of Jurgen Klopp’s plan since.
That’s not to say that Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t enjoyed some good moments down the years, scoring 18 goals for Liverpool, but it has been tough for him to oust key players from the starting lineup.
With the midfielder’s current Reds deal running out at the end of June, and with no extension offered to him, he will leave for free when it expires imminently.
According to Football Insider, it looks as though Villa could be Oxlade-Chambrlain’s next destination, with the Midlands club in “advanced talks” to snap him up.
He is seen as a strong option to come in by Villans manager Unai Emery and it looks like a deal that could easily be completed sooner rather than later.
Our thoughts on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Villa…
In truth, this is a perfect move for Oxlade-Chamberlain, at a point in his career when he turns 30 in the summer and is no longer at the standard required for Liverpool.
He could be a really effective signing for Villa if he remains injury-free, though, providing versatility in midfield and attacking areas, and always carrying a goal threat from the edge of the penalty area.
Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t the force he was – that aforementioned knee injury arguably put paid to that – so now makes complete sense for Liverpool to sell him, with the player himself no doubt keen on enjoying more regular playing time away from Anfield.
The Englishman should still be looked back on as a successful signing overall, even though his influence waned by the year, having won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, among other trophies.
