England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted that he has a strong preference for his next transfer destination amid links with a move to Leeds United.
Daniel Farke was left short in the summer transfer window as Leeds United failed to secure the final attacking option the German manager craved.
That failure to strengthen has come back to haunt Farke in the Premier League, as Leeds have struggled to regularly break down their opponents, especially in the recent defeat against Brighton.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was linked with a move to Leeds at the end of the summer, as the Whites looked to put the final touches to their squad.
Now, having been spotted training with Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted he wants his club to be in England as he waits for his return to the game.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during a Besiktas training session in Istanbul ahead of Fenerbahce game
Photo by Ahmet Okatali/Anadolu via Getty Images
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain speaks out amid Leeds United transfer links
Speaking to Ben Foster’s FozCast, Chamberlain explained why he wants his next club to be in England, having recently ended a spell in Turkey with Besiktas.
According to the former Premier League title winner, playing in Turkey put a strain on his family life, and he wants to be close to home with his next club.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “I mean, there’s obviously stuff you can do to be proactive yourself and maybe find opportunities or let people know you’d be open to opportunities.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“Ultimately, you’re sat there, it’s out of your control, right? You sat waiting for a call or for a team to decide they need you or that you can bring value. So yeah, it’s just a lot of waiting around.
Asked whether he has received offers since leaving Turkey, Oxlade-Chamberlain continued: “Yeah, but to be fair, the majority of them have been in Europe, away from home. And for me, I did two years away, which I found difficult on a family level.
“I was going six weeks, eight weeks without seeing my son, my missus. Mum and dad, they didn’t even get a look in, because if I ever come back for a day or two, it would be seeing them, seeing him. So yeah, that was difficult. I just knew I didn’t want to do that again.
“I want to be back in England. And it’s just waiting for the right thing to pop up back here, really, or close enough that makes sense for a family thing.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action for Besiktas.
Photo by Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images
Premier League winner would add vital experience to Leeds United squad
Heading into the current season, the Leeds squad lacked significant experience in the Premier League, which has shown at times this year.
Although the additions of Sean Longstaff and Dominic Calvert-Lewin partially addressed that problem, Leeds still only have five players with more than 100 Premier League appearances.
Leeds United players with more than 100 Premier League games:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 247
Sean Longstaff – 181
Jack Harrison – 178
Dan James – 112
Illan Meslier – 107
With 235 top-flight appearances to his name, Oxlade-Chamberlain would immediately join the group of senior players in Farke’s squad.
With the ability to play across the midfield, the England international could be an astute signing to bolster Leeds’ limited options.