SOUTHAMPTON have launched an ambitious bid to re-sign Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 10 years after selling him as a teenager.
Saints are keen to hand England international Oxlade-Chamberlain, 27, the chance to relaunch his career by taking him back on loan.
The Portsmouth-born academy graduate joined Saints aged seven and scored nine goals in 36 league appearances before a £15million move to Arsenal in 2011.
The south coast side believe Liverpool are open to offers for Oxlade-Chamberlain after playing only 13 Premier League games last season.
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Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Liverpool team-mate Takumi Minamino spent the second half of last season on loan at St Mary’s and Saints have made enquiries about his availability.
Ox joined the Reds in a £35m deal from Arsenal in 2017 but injuries have prevented him from ever fully establishing himself in Jurgen Klopp’s first XI.
The German converted the former Three Lions man into a central midfielder during his best spell at Anfield and it remains to be seen where Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl sees the natural winger playing.
Hasenhuttl is desperate for attacking reinforcements after Danny Ings’ £25m move to Aston Villa.
Saints are close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea to sign highly-rated striker Armando Broja, 19, on a season’s loan, and are still keen on Blackburn front-man Adam Armstrong.
But they have abandoned a move for former Crystal Palace flop Alexander Sorloth.
And the South Coast side are bracing themselves for a swoop from Leicester for defender Jannik Vestergaard.
The Foxes are in dire need of reinforcements at the back after Wesley Fofana was ruled out until next year with a broken leg.
Manager Brendan Rodgers is a long-time admirer of giant Denmark international Vestergaard having tried to sign him in each of the last two transfer windows.
Vestergaard, 29 earlier this month, is in the final year of his contract and Saints could be tempted to cash in if Leicester are willing to pay £15m.
