Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Arsenal switch hijacked by Manchester City
Manchester City were yesterday preparing to hijack Arsenal's bid for Southampton wonderkid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Sportsmail revealed last week that the Gunners were close to agreeing a £5million deal for the winger. [LNB]But big-spending City have now made their move to land the 17-year-old. Eastlands football administration officer Brian Marwood has been handed the remit of luring Oxlade-Chamberlain to City and has already made contact with Southampton. [LNB]Sources close to the player last nightclaimed they were expecting Marwood to speak with the teenager'sadvisers this week. The approach could be a fatal blow to ArseneWenger's hopes of taking the youngster to the Emirates this month. [LNB] Take your pick: Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to complete his move later this month[LNB]Arsenal do not have the spending power to compete with City, but Southampton boss Nigel Adkins insists the club will make a decision on which offer to accept based on what is best for the player - not just the size of a bid. [LNB]With just 13 days of the January transfer window remaining, Oxlade-Chamberlain is eager to sit down with Saints chairman Nicola Cortese and Adkins to clarify his future. [LNB]The last set of discussions between Southampton and the player took place in November and there is a feeling among the Oxlade-Chamberlain camp that they are being kept in the dark over developments. [LNB]During those talks two months ago, his advisers told the club that he wanted to get to the top flight as quickly as possible. And Sportsmail understands Oxlade-Chamberlain retains hopes of completing a move to the Premier League this month. [LNB]Manchester United, Liverpool and Fulham are also monitoring the £10m-rated player. Oxlade-Chamberlain close to £5m move from Southampton to ArsenalSpeed set for talks with Wenger over Ramsey's Wales availabilityAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Nigel Adkins Places: Liverpool, Fulham
