Liverpool free agent meets with president of Euro giant, as double deal involving Arsenal ramps up
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could link up with an Arsenal flop in Turkey
The last of Liverpool’s big-name free agents has met with the president of Besiktas, and the Turkish side could make it a double by signing an Arsenal winger too, per reports.
The contracts of James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino all expired on June 30. Three of the ex-Liverpool quartet didn’t have long to wait before securing a new club.
Indeed, Milner landed at Brighton and his European experience could prove invaluable as the Seagulls aim to make an impact in the Europa League.
Keita returned to the Bundesliga upon joining Werder Bremen, while Firmino was lured to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.
That left just Oxlade-Chamberlain searching for a new club, though according to Sky Sports, he may have found one.
Indeed, they claimed the 29-year-old has met Besiktas president, Ahmet Nur Cebi, in a London hotel.
Besiktas are deemed hopeful of convincing Oxlade-Chamberlain to sign up as they aim to improve on a disappointing third-placed finish last term.
Third would ordinarily not be a disaster in most leagues. However, given they finished behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce – the other two members of Turkey’s big three – there was little to shout about at Besiktas.
Arsenal winger could join Oxlade-Chamberlain
In the event Oxlade-Chamberlain does sign with the Turkish giant, he could quickly be joined by a familiar face from Arsenal.
Indeed, Besiktas are also casting their eye on Gunners winger Nicolas Pepe who per Fabrizio Romano, is out of the project in north London.
Romano labelled the Turkish side’s interest as “genuine”, before adding negotiations regarding the structure of a proposed deal will soon take place.
Transfermarkt Turkey have reported Pepe is in line to see his Arsenal contract terminated. Those claims are yet to be verified, though Arsenal do have a history of prematurely severing ties with players they no longer have use for.
Sead Kolasinac, Shkodran Mustafi, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all met that fate while with the Gunners.
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