Chelsea launch £25m bid for Arsenal and England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Chelsea have reportedly made a £25m offer for England international forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the Daily Mail.

The Premier League champions, who were defeated by Arsenal on penalties in Sunday’s FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, have been linked with luring The Gunners winger to Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2017-18 top-flight campaign.

The 23-year-old, who has 27 international caps for The Three Lions, scored six goals and provided 11 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for Arsene Wenger’s side last season.

Arsenal’s Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium back in August 2011 in a deal worth up to £15m from Southampton, has netted 20 times in 195 games overall for Arsenal, winning three FA Cups and three Community Shields.

However, with just one year remaining on his current deal in North London, the report suggests Blues boss Antonio Conte has immediately stepped up his interest in the England international as he bids to strengthen his ranks before the close of the summer transfer window.