Former Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been waiting on his Besiktas contract to be terminated this summer.
The 32-year-old has been playing out in Turkey since 2023 after his switch from Anfield, making 50 appearances, scoring five goals and grabbing one assist, as well as winning the Turkish Cup in that time.
However, injuries have kept the ex-Arsenal man from playing as much as he would like and he has struggled to break back into the side. The Southampton academy graduate originally signed a three-year deal with Besiktas, but now wants to leave the Turkish Super Lig club prematurely.
EFL Analysis’ Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, reported earlier this summer Oxlade-Chamberlain was in talks with a number of clubs in England and Birmingham City and the Saints were among those notified. The Blues were then reported to be interested in signing him. Now, the Premier League winner has had a major breakthrough in his deal with his current club.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Besiktas stands during the Turkish national anthem
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Besiktas contract mutually terminated in £1.5million agreement
EFL Analysis’ Bailey pointed out Oxlade-Chamberlain waiting for his Besiktas contract to be cut short would be an issue when seeking a new club.
Now, Besiktas have officially terminated Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract a year early.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Turkish club said: “Besiktas Futbol A.S. has notified the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) that its contract with professional football player Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain has been terminated by mutual consent.
“Besiktas Futbol Yatirimlari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. released a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform as follows: “Our contract with our professional football player Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain has been terminated by mutual consent. According to the agreement, the player will be paid a termination compensation of €1,750,000 (£1,500,000).”
With £1.5million in the bank from his early exit, Oxlade-Chamberlain is reported to be keen on a return to England.
He made his breakthrough with Southampton in 2010 in League One – but it’s another English Football League club that the former Liverpool star is still being linked with.
Former Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s links to Birmingham City rumble on
Championship returners Birmingham City are one of the clubs to have asked Oxlade-Chamberlain’s representatives about his situation.
Now, The Mail are still reporting Birmingham are ‘hopeful’ they can lure the Champions League winner to St Andrew’s.
Thanks to the involvement of co-owner and NFL legend Tom Brady and chairman Tom Wagner, the Blues have already brought in big-name stars including Demarai Gray and Kyogo Furuhashi this summer.
EFL Analysisunderstands Southampton, Leicester, Ipswich, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Coventry and Stoke have all been made aware of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s situation this summer.
However, it’s Birmingham City who are continuously being linked with the free agent. It remains to be seen where Oxlade-Chamberlain will be by the end of the window.
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