Transfer Centre

Liverpool to offer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Douglas Luiz swap deal?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 12 September 2022

Liverpool to offer Oxlade-Chamberlain in Douglas Luiz swap deal?

Liverpool may reportedly consider a swap deal with Aston Villa involving soon-to-be free agents Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Douglas Luiz in January.

Liverpool are reportedly considering a proposal which would see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move to Aston Villa in exchange for Douglas Luiz.

The former Arsenal man has been bedevilled by injuries during his five years at Anfield and is currently out for the long-term with his latest hamstring problem.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was widely expected to head for the Anfield exit door in the summer window, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2023.

However, a lack of midfield options ultimately saw Jurgen Klopp keep Oxlade-Chamberlain on the books, but he is yet to make an appearance this season due to his injury.

The 29-year-old will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January, though, with a free transfer away from Liverpool at the end of the season expected to materialise.

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz celebrates scoring their fourth goal on July 9, 2022 © Reuters

Should Liverpool ultimately try to avoid Oxlade-Chamberlain departing on a free transfer, The Express speculates that the Englishman could be sent to Villa Park with Luiz heading the other way over the winter.

Luiz was at the centre of a deadline-day transfer saga involving Arsenal, whom he had scored against just 24 hours before being the subject of three bids from.

Arsenal supposedly came forward with offers of £20m, £23m and £25m for Luiz, with Mikel Arteta seeking cover for the injured Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.

However, Villa stood firm and rebuffed the Gunners' advances, but the Brazil international - like Oxlade-Chamberlain - is also out of contract at the end of the season.

As a result, the report adds that Villa boss Steven Gerrard may be open to welcoming his compatriot to the West Midlands as he seeks to address his side's lack of goals throughout the season.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action for Liverpool in September 2021 © Reuters

Furthermore, a switch to Villa Park would present Oxlade-Chamberlain with more opportunities for game time, and the midfielder could therefore jump at the chance to seek pastures new and learn from Gerrard.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has racked up 17 goals and 15 assists from 133 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, winning the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

The former Southampton starlet has also missed a further 83 games for the Reds due to injury or illness, and he is not expected back from his hamstring issue until after the international break.

Meanwhile, Luiz - who left Manchester City in 2019 to sign for the Lions - has seven goals and eight assists under his belt from 117 games for the club, including two strikes from seven games in the Premier League and EFL Cup this term.