Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has delivered a hammer blow to Arsenal’s hopes of keeping him this summer by informing Arsene Wenger that he will not sign a new deal with the club.
The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and Wenger is desperate to keep the midfielder at the Emirates.
Chelsea and Liverpool have both shown strong interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain and Antonio Conte’s side have had a bid of £25million rejected for the England international.
Arsenal plan on sitting down with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s representatives this week to discuss his future but the midfielder has told Wenger he will not sign a new deal, according to the Mirror.
The report claims Oxlade-Chamberlain’s decision is not to do with money or Chelsea’s interest in him this summer.
The midfielder’s decision gives the club a headache and they must now decide whether to cash-in on Oxlade-Chamberlain or let him leave for free next summer.
Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey are all in similar scenarios but Wenger cannot afford a fan backlash by selling so deep into the transfer market without a replacement.
Monaco playmaker Thomas Lemar had been a priority target for the Gunners this summer but the club have had two bids rejected for the Frenchman.
However, Arsenal’s hopes may have been handed a lifeline today with reports in France claiming the Ligue 1 champions are now open to selling Lemar.
MORE : Alexis Sanchez in line to make Arsenal return against Liverpool at Anfield
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