Arsenal are continuing to scout Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but no move has been made over a transfer as yet.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been turning in rave reviews in League One, after being promoted to the first-team at the start of this season. He scored on his first professional start in the Carling Cup, bagging the second goal in a win over Bournemouth. He has since gone to become a regular in the Saints first-team, with a growing number of Premier League clubs sending scouts to watch him.
Arsenal first became interested in the 17-year-old after he played for England Under 18′s against Poland in November, a fixture in which he again impressed in. Liverpool and Manchester United have sent representatives on a regular basis, while the Gunners have only been fleeting admirers. Young Guns revealed they had begun to send scouts late last year though, and were present when he scored against Benik Afobe’s Huddersfield Town, and again in the 6-0 drubbing of Oldham Athletic earlier in the week.
Manager Nigel Adkins has confirmed Premier League outfits have been interested, but said they would only accept “Theo Walcott money”. He has since retracted that statement, saying Alex is not for sale. Liverpool have had the most significant interest, sending their Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli to watch the winger on numerous occasions in recent weeks.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is an skilfull right footed winger, who has drawn mass comparisons to Arsenal’s Theo Walcott. Both are blessed with electric pace, but many believe Alex is ahead of where Theo was at the same age.
Southampton are believed to want around £10 million for the Portsmouth born prospect, although they would be prepared to take the money in large incentive based installments. Alex has two and a half years left on his contract at Saint Mary’s.