Chamberlain leaves Arsenal for Liverpool

Add as a preferred source on Google

Liverpool have completed the signing of England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Premier League rivals Arsenal for a reported fee of £35million on Wednesday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke last week of his desire to keep Chamberlain, who was also a target for champions Chelsea.

But the player had his heart set on a move to Liverpool, who beat Arsenal 4-0 in the league on Sunday, and rebuffed Chelsea's advances.

The Gunners themselves announced Chamberlain's departure on their social media platforms.

He becomes Liverpool's second-most expensive signing after Guinea international Naby Keita, who will join the club from next season for 48 million pounds from Germany's RB Leipzig.

The 24-year-old signed a long-term contract with Jurgen Klopp's side on deadline day in a deal it is believed could reach a value of £40m, having passed a medical while on England duty at St George's Park.

"I'm currently away with England, so I'm at St George's Park," Oxlade-Chamberlain said in a message to Liverpool supporters.

"Firstly, I'm delighted to have signed for Liverpool and a big thank you to everyone here at the FA that has made this possible, using the facilities. It has been a massive help.

"I'm not going to say too much today; I'm here with England and we've got two big games coming up, so I want to focus on them. But I can't wait to get to Melwood."

Chamberlain made more than 130 Premier League appearances for Arsenal since 2011 from Southampton, scoring 20 goals.

He can play in central midfield or on either flank and his versatility is one of the reasons Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was keen to bring him to Anfield.

So far this summer, Liverpool have signed winger Mohamed Salah from Roma for £34m, full-back Andrew Robertson from Hull for £8m and striker Dominic Solanke after his contract at Chelsea expired.

Liverpool have also been pursuing Monaco's £75m-rated winger Thomas Lemar and Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, while the Reds' Brazil forward Philippe Coutinho remains Barcelona's prime transfer target.

Manager Jurgen Klopp added: "I am really, really happy we have got Alex signed.

"Since the last game I have been waiting and hoping we could make this transfer - and when I got the news he was ours it was fantastic."

The transfer window closes at 11pm UK time (3.30am IST).