Liverpool unveil Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £40million after Arsenal snubbed Chelsea for five-year Anfield deal
Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger have lost out on the Ox with Jurgen Klopp landing the versatile star
Liverpool have completed the £40million signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Premier League rivals Arsenal after he chose to snub Chelsea
The England ace penned a five-year deal after a medical at St George’s Park, where the 24-year-old is on duty with Gareth Southgate’s men.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “I’m currently away with England, so I’m at St George’s Park.
"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.”
In a follow-up statement he added: "After six years, three FA Cup wins and countless incredible memories, the time has come for me to move on from Arsenal.
“I want to publicly thank Arsene, the coaching and club staff and my amazing team mates for all of the incredible opportunities I have been given.
“Thank you so much to you, the fans, who have always had my back - I honestly couldn't be more grateful.
“The club, and my time here, will always mean a massive amount to me.
“I know my choice might come as a surprise to many, and the decision to leave was tough after being a part of the club for so many years, but I feel that this move is right for the next stage in my ongoing development.”
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The Ox rejected £180,000-a-week to stay at Arsenal and was offered £200,000-plus at Chelsea where Antonio Conte is desperate for players
But Liverpool have made the right offer to the game-starved player and he has agreed to £120,000 plus incentive bonuses.
Arsenal paid Southampton £12m for the starlet in 2011 but he made just 68 Premier League starts for the Gunners and was a substitute 64 times.
Arsene Wenger has already endured an embarrassing start to the season, with consecutive defeats to Stoke and Liverpool.
And his summer has got worse after the player he so publicly pleaded with to stay has walked out on the Gunners for the rivals who trounced them 4-0 last Sunday.
Wenger said before their painful trip to Anfield: “I want Alex to stay at the club and be one of the big players for the future of the club, he is one of the players to build the team around
“Personally I want him to commit and be the carrier of our values in the future.
“I know every bid we have, but the best is for us to focus on Sunday’s game.”