An ex-Liverpool ace cost his club a huge sum of money every time he played over 20 minutes of football
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 27, 2017 in Liverpool, England.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a bizarre clause in his Arsenal contract(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a bizarre clause in his contract that resulted in Arsenal paying Southampton £10,000 every time the midfielder played more than 20 minutes of football. Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the Reds in 2017, becoming Arsenal’s most expensive sale after completing his £40million move.
Prior to his successful six seasons at Anfield, he spent six years at the Emirates Stadium. Now aged 33 and playing for Celtic, he will get to watch his two former sides in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, when Liverpool face the reigning champions at Anfield.
In 2011, the then-highly-rated youngster sealed a £15m transfer to the Gunners. A £12m fee was paid up front, alongside an additional £3m linked to performance-based add-ons.
While that represented a shrewd bit of business on Arsene Wenger’s part, one add-on was specifically linked to how much game time he would receive in north London. As detailed in Alan Gernon's 2018 book, The Transfer Market: The Inside Stories, Oxlade-Chamberlain's first deal with Arsenal included a clause requiring the club to send Southampton £10,000 each time he appeared for a minimum of 20 minutes.
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Before that revelation, Arsenal fans were left bewildered by the fact such a talented player was regularly brought on late in games in his early career, often as a substitute on or after the 71st minute. In total, only 115 of his 198 outings for Arsenal came as a starter.
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Despite Wenger’s best efforts to keep expenses to a minimum, however, Arsenal still forked out around £1.4m on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s appearance fees during his six-year stint - around half of the maximum £3m cap put on performance-based add-ons.
The topic re-emerged during a 2024 episode of the That Peter Crouch Podcast, as the former Liverpool forward and his co-host, retired Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, reacted with awe to the revelation.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during a training session at the Gothia Park Academy
Arsene Wenger avoided playing the midfielder for the entirety of games when possible(Image: Getty)
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Speaking about the Englishman’s contract on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouch said: "Every time Oxlade-Chamberlain played 20 minutes or more for Arsenal they would have to pay Southampton an extra £10,000."
A stunned Sidwell nervously laughed before asking: "Is this real? Hold on, every 20 minutes?" to which Crouch responded: "That is madness."
Liverpool Unveil New Signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at St Georges Park on August 30, 2017 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Liverpool on August 30, 2017(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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A section from Gernon’s book reads: "Following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's move to Arsenal in 2011, Gunners fans became increasingly frustrated with the midfielder's lack of playing time.
"He was predominantly used as a substitute, often around the 71-minute mark. After his contract details emerged, it all became clear: Arsenal were obliged to pay Southampton £10,000 every time he played 20 minutes or more."
Oxlade-Chamberlain never quite fulfilled his promise at the Emirates despite showing flashes of brilliance. His performances did earn him call-ups to the England team, however, where he became the second youngest player to represent the Three Lions at a European Championship in 2012.
He earned 35 international caps from 2012 to 2019 and claimed three FA Cup winners’ medals in four years before joining Liverpool, where he won the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Ronald Araujo of Liverpool celebrates after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on October 25, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo celebrates after Liverpool's win over Brighton (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)