Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Swap Deal for Nemanja Matic Reportedly Wanted by Arsenal

Arsenal are reportedly ready to explore the option of swapping midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Chelsea man Nemanja Matic. 

Sky Sports News HQ's Kaveh Solhekol relayed reports from Italy that suggested the Gunners were pursuing what would be a fascinating deal:

As reported by James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected a new contract offer from Arsenal, with his deal set to expire next summer. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are all said to be interested in him.

Matic has also been linked with a summer switch, with Simon Jones of MailOnline reporting Juventus are ready to rival Manchester United for the Serb.

With that in mind, it would be no surprise to see both players donning different club colours next season. Still, swap deals are rare in the modern game.

It's easy to see why Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would admire Oxlade-Chamberlain, as he's explosive, hardworking and versatile.

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Last season, the England international played across midfield, as a right wing-back and, in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, at left wing-back, doing a fine job in a memorable Gunners performance.

As these figures from WhoScored.com show, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a difficult man to dispossess when he's at full flight:

It's tough to see where Oxlade-Chamberlain would fit into the Chelsea team on a regular basis, though, as competition is fierce at Stamford Bridge.

So fierce, in fact, Matic's position appears to be in doubt. Chelsea are on the verge of completing a deal for AS Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko for nearly £40 million, per Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

It means he is likely to partner N'Golo Kante in the middle of the Chelsea midfield, potentially pushing Matic to the fringes. Liam Twomey of ESPN FC believes with that in mind, it may be the right time to cash in on the former Benfica man:

It would be intriguing to see what type of role Matic would play at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have been crying out for some extra bite in the middle third for some time, and the Serb's physicality, ability to protect the ball and calmness in possession would give the squad a boost.

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Yet in Granit Xhaka, manager Arsene Wenger boasts a player with similar attributes—box-to-box, powerful and left-footed—meaning it would be a shock to see the Gunners manager make a substantial move for Matic, especially if it meant losing Oxlade-Chamberlain to a title rival.

Plus, if the Arsenal man is going to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, it's imperative he does so for a team that can offer him the regular minutes he surely craves. That's not an assurance the Premier League champions would be able to provide him.