Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could reportedly leave the club this month before his deal expires at the end of the season.
The former Arsenal man is free to enter discussions with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement after entering the final six months of his contract with Jurgen Klopp's side.
Having consistently struggled with injuries, as well as failing to force his way into Klopp's lineup on a regular basis, Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to head for the Anfield exit door this year.
The ex-England international has enjoyed regular minutes in recent weeks amid Liverpool's injury crisis, featuring predominantly on the left as Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz recover from long-term problems.
However, the recent arrival of Cody Gakpo has pushed Oxlade-Chamberlain further down the pecking order, having also dropped behind Fabinho, Harvey Elliott, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara in the engine room rankings.
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According to the Daily Mail, Oxlade-Chamberlain could accelerate his exit from Liverpool and depart for a nominal fee in the current window rather than running down the final months of his deal.
The report adds that the 29-year-old is garnering plenty of interest from clubs in England and abroad, but he could find it easier to land at a new stomping ground in January.
With a plethora of midfielders also due to become free agents at the end of the season, Oxlade-Chamberlain's options could be more limited in the summer, even though he would be financially better off signing for a new club as a free agent.
The ex-Southampton youngster has amassed a total of 18 goals and 15 assists in 142 appearances for Liverpool since 2017, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in that time.
This season, Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored once in nine appearances in all tournaments, heading home a consolation goal in the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Brentford on January 2.
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That game marked Oxlade-Chamberlain's third Premier League start in a row, and he could be set for a fourth in Saturday's contest with Brighton & Hove Albion amid the Reds' injury woes.
As well as Jota and Diaz, Klopp could also be without Darwin Nunez due to an unspecified issue, meaning that Gakpo may be required through the middle as Oxlade-Chamberlain battles Fabio Carvalho to start on the left.
The Englishman is one of three Liverpool midfielders out of contract in the summer, with Naby Keita and James Milner also on the verge of leaving the Merseyside giants.
Klopp's side were initially thought to have been keen to tie Keita down to a new contract, but they have since performed a U-turn on their stance and are willing to part ways with the injury-plagued Guinean.
Meanwhile, Milner - who will turn 37 this year - should also be allowed to depart as Liverpool make space for the possible signing of Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham.
Ben Knapton
