Liverpool have not made a fresh approach for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the 23-year-old’s Arsenal future still uncertain.
The England international is in the final year of his current terms with the Gunners, who have opened discussions over a new deal understood to be worth around £100,000 a week.
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However, there has been little progress in settling on an agreement, with the player wanting guarantees over his status in the squad as well as to regularly start in his preferred central midfield role.
Talks have also dragged as the north Londoners prioritise securing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez - both out of contract in June 2018 - to lucrative extensions. With neither close to committing, Arsenal has been left in limbo.
The Chile international is a chief target for Manchester City and is also coveted by Bayern Munich.
There is a feeling that pressure is being put on Arsenal to accelerate negotiations with Oxlade-Chamberlain and meet his demands as links with Chelsea and Pep Guardiola’s side are also thrown into the equation.
Liverpool have been interested in the three-time FA Cup winner due to his suitability and versatility, which would promote greater competition in the squad across a number of positions.
The Reds did make a check on the £25 million-rated man previously, but are understood not to have followed that up recently.
With Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Gini Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can all competing to start in midfield next season, Oxlade-Chamberlain would certainly not be assured of a regular spot in the centre of the park at Anfield.
Liverpool also have aspirations of dynamising their options in that department by signing RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita, but it would prove an incredibly difficult deal to execute. If they succeed in that regard, it would only heighten the battle to be part of the club’s first XI.
There is also the desire to reach an agreement with Can over new terms, with the Germany international seeking promises over his own standing within the squad.
The expectation at the moment is that Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been been viewed as a supplement to Liverpool’s plans this summer rather than core to it, will commit to Arsenal.
However, if there continues to be impediments in his dialogue with the Gunners and there is a desire from the Southampton academy graduate to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s fluid, assertive approach, the Merseysiders would explore whether a suitable deal can be reached.
Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke are already confirmed incomers for 2017-18 as Liverpool look to build on their progress in the new campaign.
