Liverpool have made a huge push to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from under Chelsea's noses.

Mirror Sport understands that Liverpool are rivalling Chelsea to get Oxlade-Chamberlain after the Arsenal midfielder turned down a new contract offer worth £180,000-a-week.

Arsenal are now set to sell before Thursday's transfer deadline if a club bids over £35million rather than lose him for nothing next year.

It means with the ongoing transfer tug-of-war that Arsenal are likely to pull Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the starting XI to face Liverpool on Sunday.

Chelsea had appeared to be in pole position and have already had a bid turned down but were confident of landing him for £35m.

But Liverpool are now firmly in the frame although Arsenal do have history with them from the fall out over the botched Luis Suarez transfer in 2013.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty)

(Image: Arsenal FC/Getty)

It might be a more complicated deal as Arsenal have good relations with Chelsea but Oxlade-Chamberlain's team mates think he is more likely to go to Liverpool.

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Wenger has insisted publicly that he does not want to sell but Oxlade-Chamberlain has told him face-to-face that he believes a move would be best for his career and development.

It now looks as if Oxlade-Chamberlain will now be sold rather than let him run down his contract, although Arsenal have yet to receive a bid which comes close to tempting them to sell.

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Wenger is likely to play Sead Kolasinac at wing back at Liverpool on Sunday, especially with fit-again Alexis Sanchez set to return to the starting line-up on the left. That would be a convenient excuse while the club try and resolve the issue.

They have also yet to receive a formal bid for Sanchez from Manchester City and yet it would take a huge offer to tempt them to sell in the final week of the window.

Watford have finally come in for Kieran Gibbs and are close to agreeing a £7m deal for the left back.

Shkodran Mustafi is another likely departure even though him leaving is a surprise.

(Image: Getty)

Mirror Sport understands that Arsenal will sell if they can get their money back on Mustafi after signing him for £34m from Valencia last summer.

Inter Milan and Juventus have expressed an interest. Inter want to do a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal next summer.

Despite potentially clearing the decks, it is unlikely that Arsenal will have any more incomings. They are long time admirers of Vigil van Dijk but Southampton are refusing to sell.