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Aston Villa could miss out on signing former Liverpool and Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on Thursday (3 August, page 52) that the 29-year-old midfielder, who’s a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, has held talks over a move to Besiktas.
It is understood that Besiktas are ready to make Oxlade-Chamberlain their “highest-earning player” in order to beat off competition from both Aston Villa and Brentford.
Continual links
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with a move to Aston Villa for some time now.
And if there’s one thing to learn about the Villans’ transfer approach this summer, it’s that if they want a player, they get it done swiftly.
Youri Tielemans was snapped up on a free transfer before his contract at Leicester had even expired and there was minimal fuss over the club-record signing of Moussa Diaby.
The deal for Pau Torres dragged out a bit but that was mainly due to the now-former Villarreal defender being on his honeymoon with his wife.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with the Villans since June with Alan Hutton speaking to Villa News about the ex-England international earlier this summer.
“It would be a free transfer but he’s still at an age where he’s got a lot of football in him,” said the former Villa right-back.
“I think with his club and international experience, he can instantly make the squad stronger.
“If Aston Villa can get that done, Unai Emery will be very happy.”
While Oxlade-Chamberlain would add a lot of experience to the Villa squad, it’s hard to see how he gets more than just a bit-part role in Unai Emery’s plans.
He’ll be the star man in Turkey with Besiktas so we expect that to be more likely at this stage.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery has made a transfer decision on this exit-linked Villa sensation.