Chelsea will increase their bid for Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to £40m, according to the Daily Star.
The England international has just one year left on his contract and has so far refused to sign a new deal to stay at the Emirates despite being offered improved terms by the Gunners.
Reports have varied on the wage demands that Oxlade-Chamberlain wants but the 23 year old is believed to be looking for between £120,000 and £150,000 a week.
The Blues ares said to have already offered £35m for the the wide man but so far Arsenal are not indicating that they want to sell the player despite the possibility of the midfielder leaving on a free transfer next summer.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was effusive about the player’s abilities in a press conference yesterday and it is clear that the Frenchman wants Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at the club. He did hint however that the final decision will not rest with him but the club’s board:
“One hundred per cent never exists in our job. I think all the three [Sanchez, Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain] will stay. I will fight for them to stay. After the board has to, of course, agree with me.A nd if they don’t agree we have to consider it as well, and I will accept it. But the board is behind me on that.”
