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Liverpool fear their interest in bringing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Anfield will be frustrated by Arsenal’s reluctance to sell to a key rival.

It is believed Arsene Wenger is now ready to cash in on the England international after the player rejected a reported £180,000 a week contract extension.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s current deal runs out at the end of the season and he seems determined to seek pastures new.

Liverpool have been tracking the midfielder - currently filling in as a wing-back - for the whole summer and Klopp remains keen to add him to his squad.

With Arsenal now seemingly ready to listen to offers, a significant bid from Anfield can be expected in the next few days, with the Gunners said to be asking for up to £35m for the 24-year-old.

The fear is that Arsenal will be unwilling to sell to Liverpool, who they see as the most likely team to unseat in the top four as they seek to return to the Champions League places next season. Wenger’s men finished just a point behind the Reds last year.

Chelsea also have an interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain, and while it is believed the player prefers Anfield, Arsenal may see Antonio Conte’s men as the lesser of two evils on this occasion.

Arsenal also remain mindful of Liverpool’s reaction to their infamous £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suarez in 2013.

The last player they sold to Liverpool was Michael Thomas more than 25 years ago for £1.5m and just four players have left the Gunners for Anfield in the entire history of the clubs, with Harry Storer (1895), Geoff Strong (1964) and Ray Kennedy (1974) the other three.