Arsenal have joined the race to sign Chelsea star Nemanja Matic by sensationally offering midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in exchange, according to a reliable journalist.
Sky Sports Italy correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his personal website that the Gunners have proposed a swap deal with Chelsea in which they sign Matic, 28, in return for Oxlade-Chamberlain 23.
Di Marzio reports that Arsenal and Juventus have both registered their firm interest in signing the Chelsea first teamer, who was key to the club’s title triumphs in 2015 and 2017.
It is reported that because of the Serbia international’s difficult relationship with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte a move this summer is likely.
Matic has attracted interest from clubs both in the Premier League and oversees, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Juventus.
Arsenal now looks to be the most recent club interested in the defensive midfielder and could offload Oxlade-Chamberlain in the process even though manager Arsene Wenger has stressed this week that he does not want to sell him.
This report comes just days after Sky Sports claimed that the England international looked destined to leave the Emirates this summer due to talks surrounding a new contract hit a deadlock.
The Englishman’s contract runs out at the end of next season and it’s unlikely that he will be kept on at the club.
Exchanging the two players would represent a sensational deal given the calibre of the duo and the rarity in which Chelsea and Arsenal do transfer business.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to find a permanent spot in the first-team squad, and last season the 23-year-old played in eight different roles which could suggest why Wenger is keen to exchange the player for a more experienced midfielder.
However, with The Sun recently reporting that Manchester United have £100 million to spend for the rest of the summer, Arsenal will have to act fast.