Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after agreeing a fee in the region of £35million with Arsenal for the England international.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will now discuss personal terms with the Blues and is expected to complete the switch across London before the transfer window shuts on Thursday night.

As reported by Telegraph Sport, Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected Arsenal’s last contract offer and told manager Arsene Wenger he wanted to leave the club before Sunday’s thrashing at Liverpool.

Wenger had insisted Oxlade-Chamberlain would not be sold earlier this summer, but it appears the Frenchman’s hand has now been forced.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be granted special leave from England duty while he ties up his Chelsea move and could miss the World Cup qualifier against Malta.