Paper Round: Chelsea reeling as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turns down deal

It’s Wednesday’s Paper Round. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reported to have turned down an agreed move to Chelsea as Liverpool ready themselves for business.

Liverpool edge in on Ox as Chelsea denied deal

Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reportedly turned down what was thought to be a done deal on a move to Chelsea on Tuesday night. Terms were said to have been agreed between the clubs on Monday for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been tabloid fodder for most of the summer break. However, despite a deal worth £40m having reportedly been struck, Liverpool are apparently also keen to land the 24-year-old and are now expected to pounce on Oxlade-Chamberlain before the window closes. 

Our view: this is one of the most funny transfer story in recent times. First he was keen on joining the Blues, then Arsenal reached an agreement with Chelsea which would have been the only obstacle to the move, but it turned out again that Chmaberlain has another destination in mind. What becomes of Chelsea who desperately need Numbers in the team. The reason for Chamberlain deciding against joining Chelsea is because he wants to play centrally and not on the wings and for him that can only be possible in Liverpool. Lets see if Liverpool makes a bid and if he gets his wish.

But have Liverpool given up on Lemar?

Just hours earlier, it was suggested Liverpool were on the brink of an audacious bid for Lemar. The Mirror reports that Monaco could be offered 22-year-old Divock Origi on top of £75m for 21-year-old Lemar.

Our view: Monaco are unwilling to sell Lemar and it remains to be seen if a huge bid from Liverpool or any other club could test their resolve.

Costa’s holiday continues in Gran Canaria

The end may finally be in sight for the stand-off between Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and errant striker Diego Costa. Twenty eight-year-old Costa has refused to return to training in London since he revealed Conte had effectively dumped him by text over the summer break. Meanwhile, The Sun reports Costa is being fined £300,000 every fortnight by his club while he remains away. It was reported on Wednesday that Costa may now enjoy a four-month loan in the sunshine of Gran Canaria to Las Palmas while he awaits the lifting of Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban.

Our view: Chelsea and Costa should just get this done as soon as possible and let peace return to football. 

Chelsea launch £25m bid for Barkley

One player with whom Chelsea may yet have more luck before the sun sets on another transfer window is Everton’s Ross Barkley. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have made a bid of £25m for the 23-year-old midfielder in a “cut price” deal. With just a year left on his contract and having refused to sign an extension with Everton, boss Ronald Koeman is said to now be desperate to offload him. 

Our view: He should have been gone by now, but no one was willing to meet Koeman's asking price. But now that he is desperate to him off the books at Eveton, expect a deal to be trashed out either with Spurs or Chelsea before the end of Thursday. For me £25m for the 23-year-old midfielder is a bargain.