Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly on Leicester City's radar after it was revealed that Besiktas is keen to offload him this summer. The former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder has just wrapped up his second season with the Turkish club, but it seems his stint in Istanbul could be drawing to a close.
Oxlade-Chamberlain made the move to Turkey in the summer of 2023, leaving Liverpool on a free transfer. His time at Besiktas has been anything but smooth, having played under nine different managers during his two-year tenure.
It looked like he might depart the club last summer, just one year into his three-year contract, after being sidelined by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. However, he found himself more involved once former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the helm.
The 31-year-old managed to make 20 appearances across all competitions, although he was left out of the Europa League squad. Despite flourishing under Solskjaer's management, his hefty wages have become a sticking point.
Turkish media reports suggest that Besiktas is eager to remove his $3 million annual salary from its payroll, and Leicester has reportedly made enquiries about signing Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Foxes, now in the Championship, are in the process of rebuilding following the release of several players.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (15) of Besiktas
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants regular game time (Image: Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Getty Images)
In an October 2023 interview with The Athletic, he laid bare his aspirations, remarking: "Whatever your career path is, it's about what keeps you motivated. For some people, it could be money. For others, it's winning. Others might just want to score goals. Whatever it is, you want those needs to be met. That's what gives you the will to keep going."
"I just want to play. I need to play, to take this opportunity and see what I can still achieve while my legs are still moving."
Just last month, Solskjaer spoke about the realistic approach required at Besiktas amidst financial constraints, when he spoke to BBC Sport.
He said: "Everyone knows you need time to shape a team into what you want it to look like. But you have to manage it the best you can, not as you wish it was.
Head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Besiktas
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to get rid of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's wages (Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
"There are things I want my team to do that this one can't. We have come into a difficult financial period because in the past the club has spent money, maybe not so wisely."
"Look, recruitment is probably the most important thing in football. You need the structures right and you need to get the right people in.
"When you manage two, three, four or five different managers' players, it is hard to make it balance into a team you want to see. Everyone knows you need continuity and patience to get success, but not too many get it."