Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain snubs Premier League interest and agrees Besiktas move
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly set to join Besiktas on a free transfer. The 29-year-old left Liverpool at the end of last season after his contract expired. According to The Times, Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently in Istanbul to finalize the move to the Turkish club.
While Brentford and an unnamed Saudi Pro League side were also interested in signing him, Oxlade-Chamberlain has chosen Besiktas. This move gives him the opportunity to compete for more silverware, particularly in the Europa Conference League if Besiktas qualifies. Besiktas will begin their league campaign against Fatih Karagumruk on Monday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hoping for regular game time in Turkey, as he spent most of last season on the substitutes’ bench at Liverpool. In the 2019-20 season, he made 43 appearances and scored eight goals, contributing to Liverpool’s Premier League title win.
The Portsmouth-born midfielder is currently in Istanbul ahead of the transfer. He is one of five midfielders to leave Liverpool this summer, along with Naby Keita and James Miner, who departed at the end of their contracts to join Werder Bremen and Brighton, respectively. Liverpool’s captain, Jordan Henderson, and Brazilian international Fabinho have also completed moves to Saudi Arabia.
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English football player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has recently agreed to join Turkish side Besiktas, despite much interest from many of the top Premier League sides.
The 26 year old midfielder, who made his professional debut in 2010, bringing valuable experience with him to his new club, has been out of contract since his release from Premier League side Liverpool FC at the end of last season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had been a target for a number of clubs following his release, with Manchester City, West Ham and Arsenal all known to be interested in securing a deal. Besiktas had been quietly watching the situation for the past few months, however, and have now made their move.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is excited to join the Turkish side and is looking to make the most of this new opportunity. “I am delighted to be joining Besiktas and can’t wait to get started,” the midfielder said.
Having been a key player in the 2017/18 Champions League winning Liverpool team, Oxlade-Chamberlain will bring a wealth of experience and talent to the side. He has also represented England at international level, making 37 appearances before injury placed a premature end to his involvement with the national team.
Besiktas are hoping the move will help them to success in next season’s Champions League, and have been quick to show their excitement for his arrival. The club’s sporting director, Serdar Adali, said ”We believe this will be a great signing for us. Oxlade-Chamberlain will improve our attacking options and bring a lot of quality to our team.”
The move represents an exciting chapter for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the hope of forming a successful partnership with his new side in the future.