Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Liverpool from Arsenal

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal for a fee of £35 million.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a five-year deal worth around £120,000 a week. It is quite a coup for Liverpool, having taken a player from Arsenal and denied Chelsea one of their prime targets in the process.

The England midfielder has not selected a squad number as yet – he has requested more time to consider the options.

The deal takes Liverpool’s spending in this transfer window to around £130 million, at least, although RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita will not join until next year and Dominic Solanke’s price is to be determined by tribunal.

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In a statment on the Liverpool website, Oxlade-Chamberlain said he was "delighted" to have become the club’s fourth signing of the summer.

“I’m currently away with England, so I’m at St George’s Park," Oxlade-Chamberlain said. "Firstly, I’m delighted to have signed for Liverpool and a big thank-you to everyone here at the FA that has made this possible, using the facilities. It has been a massive help.

“I’m not going to say too much today; I’m here with England and we’ve got two big games coming up, so I want to focus on them. But I can’t wait to get to Melwood and you’ll hear first from me on LFCTV.”

Manager Jürgen Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “I am really, really happy we have got Alex signed. Since the last game I have been waiting and hoping we could make this transfer - and when I got the news he was ours it was fantastic.

“I remember the first time I saw him play live - it was at Dortmund in 2014 and he came on as a sub that day and made a big impact. He stood out immediately because of his pace and skills and his attitude in such a big game for a young player; I remember him chasing back to make a brilliant challenge on Mkhitaryan in the box to save a certain goal.

“We won that game but lost the return match at Arsenal when he started and played well, I think he hit the post. Since then I have followed him and when I heard it may be possible to sign him I didn't need to think twice.

Jürgen Klopp had said he is a long-time admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain Credit: EPA

“I hear a lot of talk about positions but let's talk about the player; he is someone with really good abilities who always gives everything for his team. A player that is positive and willing to take risks to try and make positive things happen. 

“He may still be young but he has a lot of experience in the Premier League, Champions League and for his country. Already he is a very, very good player and I think he has the mentality and desire to get even better - and that excites me. 

“This is someone making a tough decision to leave one great club and come to another great club and I think he had many options, so to get him means I am delighted.

“He didn't make an easy decision but I think he made a great one to go on this journey with this squad of talented boys and our great supporters."

Source: AFP