Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to leave Liverpool this summer but fears he will be priced out of an Anfield exit.
ESPN claim that the 28-year-old is keen to depart with one year left on his contract but it might not be straightforward.
They cite Liverpool’s previous when it comes to letting players run their contract down and go on a free rather than sell at a knockdown price.
Gini Wijnaldum, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana are just three example and Chamberlain apparently fears going the same way and needing to stay for another season.
Chamberlain wants to leave Liverpool
Their report reads: “Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is facing a battle to relaunch his career this summer amid concerns Liverpool’s transfer strategy could force him to see out the final year of his contract at Anfield.
“While Liverpool are prepared to listen to offers for Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, the club will assess how much interest there is in him before setting a valuation. His first-team opportunities have diminished to the extent he is prepared to seek a move elsewhere to avoid another season of limited chances at Anfield next year.
“Liverpool’s recent transfer business has seen them hold out for high fees for players entering the final year of their contracts, however, with the club prepared to allow the likes of Wijnaldum, Lallana and Sturridge leave as free agents rather than be offloaded for lower valuations.
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“With the transfer market still impacted by the financial problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool’s prospects of raising funds by parting with Oxlade-Chamberlain are in the balance because of their likely demands.“
Newcastle apparently tried to sign Chamberlain in January and they would perhaps be back in the hunt again if Chamberlain was made available at the right price.
But if he is priced out of a move by Liverpool’s valuation, Jurgen Klopp will keep him in reserve for another season before letting him go for nothing.
Klopp admitted after Tuesday night’s game at Southampton that he hated himself for not bringing Chamberlain on, but that decision underlined the Englishman’s current positions in Liverpool’s pecking order.