Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain eyes Premier League transfer after brutal training camp axe
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been told he can leave Besiktas this summer after just one season with the Turkish giants and ideally, he would like to return to the Premier League after leaving Liverpool in 2023
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is eyeing a return to English football after being told he is free to leave Turkish giants Besiktas this summer. The former Liverpool attacking midfielder moved to Istanbul on a free transfer upon the expiry of his Anfield contract at the end of the 2022/23 season. While Besiktas limped to a measly sixth-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season, they did win the Turkish Cup after beating Trabzonspor 3-2 in the final. But now the Turkish side have left the attacking midfielder out of their squad for their pre-season training camp in Slovenia - making it clear he is no longer part of their plans. In the meantime, Chamberlain's agents are exploring the prospect of a return to English football even though his current contract in Turkey still has two years left to run.
Turkish reports claim his former employers Southampton are interested alongside Fulham and Sheffield United, though English sources have since shot down suggestions that 'The Ox' could return to St Mary's. It is also unclear whether links to Fulham and Sheffield United have any substance. The 30-year-old scored four goals in 20 appearances for Besiktas last season in what proved to be another injury-hit campaign, however, there is confidence that Chamberlain still has what it takes to shine in the Premier League despite a challenging experience in Turkey. The England international has also been apart from his fiancee and Little Mix star Perrie Edwards plus son Axel during his time at Besiktas - another reason why he would jump at the chance to return home. Chamberlain's Besiktas deal is worth a reported £2.2million per season and he has also earned up to £8600 per match, though those figures are said to be dependent on playing time.
Speaking back in October, the former Arsenal man admitted he came close to moving to Saudi Arabia last summer but opted against the move due to his young family. He told The Athletic: "I was tempted. Over the transfer window, the whole shape of it changed as more boys went there and it became more appealing with how many lads were going to be there and how that’s going to improve the league. So for sure, I wasn’t like, 'No I would never do that'." Chamberlain has 235 Premier League appearances to his name and has also scored nine goals in 51 Champions League outings.
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