Klopp wants the Ox and is prepared to spend big to get him

According to reports in today’s Telegraph, the Reds are keen on signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and will not be scared off by Arsenal’s £35m valuation of the 23 year old.

Despite Jurgen Klopp describing reports of a January move for the England man as “nonsense” the rumours have refused to go away. After all, just because Klopp denied wanting to sign the player in the winter transfer window does not necessarily mean he has no plans to recruit him in the summer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract runs until the summer of 2018 and Arsenal have so far made no move to extend his deal, instead focusing on trying to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. The former Southampton man has been unable to hold down a regular starting place at the Emirates, and has reportedly grown frustrated at his lack of starts.

This season he has featured in 25 Premier League games, but only 12 have been from the start. He has grown increasingly unsettled and a fresh start at Anfield may appeal to a player who is undoubtedly talented but has struggled to realise the potential he showed when he burst onto the scene as a teenager.

After starting his career as a winger, Oxlade-Chamberlain has occasionally been used in a deeper, more central position. Liverpool lack depth in wide areas and also in the box to box midfield positions, and ‘the Ox’ would provide a quality alternative to the likes of Adam Lallana, Gini Wijnaldum and even Sadio Mané.

While the player’s versatility makes him an intriguing option, his injury history is a concern and the reported price does not represent good value for money. For the cost of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Klopp could sign two or three players from the Bundesliga and still have change.

Much may depend on whether the Reds hold off Arsenal for a Champions League place, as not only would that ensure a bigger transfer kitty for Klopp, it would make them a more attractive destination for Oxlade-Chamberlain, not least because the extra games would provide him with more opportunities to start.

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