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Southampton are ready to make Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain their highest-paid player this summer.

Ambitious Saints have made the Arsenal midfielder their No.1 transfer target and will also offer him the vice-captaincy as part of their charm offensive to bring him back to St Mary’s.

They are determined to fend off competition from Manchester City, West Ham and Chelsea as the 22-year-old will consider his future at the end of the season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is happy at Arsenal but is desperate to play more first team football to strengthen his career and England prospects.

He has got two years left on his current deal at the Emirates and that has alerted several clubs as they believe Arsenal may be tempted to sell.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters) (Image: Arsenal FC/Getty)

Mirror Sport revealed Southampton captain Jose Fonte has been trying to tempt Oxlade-Chamberlain back to his former club .

Southampton will offer a big contract and make him a senior figure at the club to try and lure him back.

Oxlade-Chamberlain left St Mary’s in 2011 in a £15m deal and has gone on to establish himself as an England regular.

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But injuries have held him back at Arsenal and Southampton want to try and re-sign him this summer.

It would also underline Southampton’s ambition and determination to keep Ronald Koeman at the club this summer.