Chelsea are reportedly ready to firm up their interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and offer Arsenal £25 million for the England international.
According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are ready to step up their efforts to land the 23-year-old, who is into the final year of his current deal.
The report claims that Arsenal have rejected Chelsea’s initial interest in the Ox, but that Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen ahead of the new season.
The champions have already brought in Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata but are being tipped to add more players as they prepare for the demands of Champions League football.
This is not the first time Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with Liverpool also reportedly interested.
While Arsenal are believed to be keen to keep hold of him, it seems contract talks are yet to happen, leaving the club vulnerable to an approach from rivals.
Conte reportedly feels Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a perfect option at wing-back, having featured in that position for Arsenal regularly since Arsene Wenger switched to a 3-5-2 formation.
The Ox has previously hinted he would be tempted to leave if he did not play regularly at Arsenal, but has been heavily involved since the change of formation.
If Arsenal are as desperate to keep hold of him as Wenger has previously stated, it seems curious that a new deal has yet to have been agreed, and means his future is very much uncertain as we head towards the final weeks of the transfer window.