Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Ajax wonderkid Riechedly Bazoer 'in final phase' of move, Ox in contract limbo

All the latest transfer developments and speculation from the Emirates on Monday, December 12

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ‘frustrated and bemused’ by Arsenal’s claim they have begun contract negotiations with the England international.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, last week said Arsenal had opened talks with Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has 18 months remaining on his contract.

However, the Daily Mirror reports on Monday that no approach has been made, and says Oxlade-Chamberlain is irritated and surprised by the club’s claims.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been at Arsenal since 2011 and is hugely popular among Arsenal fans. However, he has found game time increasingly hard to come by this season.

He has completed just one match so far this campaign - despite scoring six goals and providing six assists. Only Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have scored more for the club.

The 23-year-old was substituted once again in the win over Stoke on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star suggests the Gunners are in a race with Liverpool for Celtic forward Moussa Dembele, the 20-year-old forward who has scored seven league goals in 10 starts under Brendan Rodgers and is almost certainly set to leave Parkhead either in January or next summer.

Moussa Dembele could be set to leave Celtic next month (Getty)

Ajax wonderkid Riechedly Bazoer is in the ‘final phase’ of completing a January transfer, the club’s head coach Peter Bosz has revealed.

Arsenal are among a number of European teams, including Barcelona and Wolfsburg, interested in the midfielder, who has produced a series of fine display for his club and the Netherlands.

Bosz revealed the 20-year-old has now all-but wrapped up a move.

Riechedly Bazoer (GETTY IMAGES)

“He reported that his transfer is in the final phase - and I also understand this from Marc [Overmars, director of football].

“He has a view to a new club, which is why we gave him freedom from training to work with players who are focused on our next opponent.

“We shook hands and parted in a good way.”

Bazoer has made more than 50 appearances for Ajax having made his debut as a teenager.

Elsewhere on Monday morning, The Sun claims Arsenal could make an unlikely move for Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard, while according to the Birmingham Mail Carl Jenkinson could be set to move to Aston Villa on loan.