Arsenal Transfer News: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Offered to West Ham, Top Rumours

West Ham United could be preparing to make a swoop for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after he was made available by Arsenal, per Darren Lewis of the Mirror.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has been offered to the Hammers as part of a plan to offload the former Southampton player.

According to Lewis, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is readying himself for a summer clear out following the team’s failures in the Premier League—combined with their inability to claim silverware—with several players expected to depart the Emirates Stadium.

Per WhoScored.com, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been used sparingly this term after being handed just five Premier League starts. 

His position on the right of midfield has come under increased threat due to competition for places from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey. 

However, following the emergence of starlet Alex Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain has fallen even further down the pecking order due to the strong form of the Nigerian prodigy.

The playmaker took to social media to confirm he was back in training following injury:

West Ham are currently enjoying their best season in the top-flight since 2001-02 when Harry Redknapp led the east Londoners to a seventh-place finish.

Inspired by the form of summer recruits Manuel Lanzini and PFA Player of the Year nominee Dimitri Payet, West Ham sit sixth in the table, five points off Manchester United in fifth, per Soccerway. 

A move for Oxlade-Chamberlain would signal their future ambitions to become a Premier League heavyweight as they prepare to move to their new home in Stratford.

Pacy and versatile, the England international has won 24 caps for his country but is unlikely to be part of the squad that attends Euro 2016 in France this summer after suffering a knee injury in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to Barcelona.  

Meanwhile, Wenger is reportedly also looking to add players to his squad in a bid to improve their on-pitch fortunes. 

Per the Sun (h/t Jon Harvey of Metro), Nottingham Forest youngster Oliver Burke is being lined up by Arsenal scouts as a possible replacement for the outgoing Oxlade-Chamberlain, while speculating Theo Walcott could also be set to depart.

The Gunners have reportedly been monitoring the progress of the 19-year-old winger after he impressed onlookers this campaign.

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

The Scotland international, who won his first cap in the 1-0 friendly win over Denmark in March this year, has made 19 appearances for his Championship side this season, scoring two times, per WhoScored.com. 

One stumbling block to a possible move away from the City Ground is his contract, with the teenager only signing a new four-and-a-half-year deal at the club in February.