Chelsea Transfer News: Shock Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott Rumours

Chelsea have allegedly told Arsenal they can sign goalkeeper Petr Cech, but only if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott is sent in the opposite direction.    

This story comes from an unnamed club "source," who told The Sun (h/t Telegraph Sport): "Arsene Wenger wants a top keeper from us. Well, in exchange we want Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain. They may not be in the Arsenal team but we are convinced Jose Mourinho could make them into top players again."

While Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is proven at helping struggling stars to find top form—highlighted by John Terry's excellent campaign—neither Oxlade-Chamberlain nor Walcott stand out as particularly essential targets for the Blues.

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The Ox is perhaps the more attractive prospect due to his hard-working, energetic and versatile game. He can be deployed on either wing and has played in a central midfield role on occasion across the last couple of years. The 21-year-old is a powerful dribbler of the ball, and he always looks to cause problems by bursting into space. However, his true potential remains untapped, not helped by a string of injuries.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 21 starts and eight substitute appearances across the Premier League and the Champions League this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists, per WhoScored.com. He is still one very much for the future, but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be hoping to see more productivity from him soon.

Walcott is the more frustrating forward—someone whose outrageous speed isn't matched with consistent end product. Injuries have restricted him to just three starts and 12 sub appearances across the two aforementioned competitions this season, with him netting twice.

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However, at 26 years old, Walcott is yet to deliver on his potential. He made his 300th appearance for the club during Wednesday's draw with Sunderland, but Arsenal fans will be hard-pushed to remember individual displays of world-class quality in that time.

His best season remains the 2012-13 campaign—in which he netted 14 goals and provided 10 assists in the Premier League, per WhoScored—but reaching double figures in either stat is not his forte. Walcott's athleticism and pace make him a constant threat, but his ability to rush things limits how often this comes to fruition.

Mourinho possesses plenty of options on the flank, led by Eden Hazard and Willian. Oxlade-Chamberlain's natural graft could make him a quality alternative to the latter, but the Portuguese boss isn't one to upset the balance of his side.

B/R UK's Garry Hayes recently discussed whom he believes Chelsea should target during the summer:

If there is truth in The Sun's report, it wouldn't be beyond Mourinho to secure one of Arsenal's players as a response to their pursuit of Cech. He won't want to be seen giving any leeway to Chelsea's rivals, so he may be able to reclaim a little dignity by grabbing one of the Gunners' stars.

The speculation seems unlikely, however, particularly when judging Chelsea's current squad and needs.