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Southampton will test Arsenal’s resolve to hang on to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with a major summer bid for the England winger.

The Saints hope to capitalise on the 22-year-old’s frustrations at his lack of first-team starts at the Emirates by tabling an offer for their former youth-team product when the transfer window opens.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has two years left on his current deal at the Gunners and there have been no talks about extending the agreement, although manager Arsene Wenger is not believed to be keen to sell the player.

He is fighting to make the England squad for Euro 2016 after suffering a knee injury against Barcelona last month and is not expected to return until late April.

(Image: Getty)

But even before that setback, Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to gain a consistent run in Wenger’s side and has scored just once for the Gunners this season.

He left Saints for Arsenal in 2011 in a £15million deal and his former club, who have since established themselves in the top half of the Premier League, are likely to offer a similar amount to bring him back to St Mary’s.

In pictures — Southampton 3-2 Liverpool:

Southampton made a late attempt to take Oxlade-Chamberlain on loan before the January window closed.

They are now believed to be ready to make a bid for a player who has also interested Manchester City and Liverpool.

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The Saints would be able to offer him more regular starts than those rival suitors, if they can persuade Arsenal to sell – and Wenger is under pressure to revamp his squad following their recent capitulation in the title race.