According to Sky Sports, Chelsea will step up their efforts to sign Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after completing a deal for Alvaro Morata.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sky Sports say that after sealing a club-record move for Morata on Friday, Blues boss Antonio Conte is ready to switch his attentions to Oxlade-Chamberlain as he looks to strengthen in the wing-back positions.

Aside from perhaps Cesar Azpilicueta, Victor Moses has little competition for the right wing-back slot and with the club returning to the group stages of the Champions League next term, they certainly need more depth.

A move for the Gunners star would make sense as he has just a year left on his contract, and despite Arsene Wenger previously saying he is confident that the 23-year-old will stay at the Emirates, Sky Sports say that he has told the Frenchman that he has no interest in signing the extension he has been offered.

Britain Soccer Football - Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League - Turf Moor - 2/10/16
Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates after  Laurent Koscielny scores their first goal 
Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
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How did Oxlade-Chamberlain do last season?

The England international has struggled to find his best position in the team since moving to Arsenal from Southampton six years ago, and the 23-year-old will be frustrated at the lack of progression he has made in his career.

He did make 45 appearances in all competitions for Gunners last term though, scoring six goals and providing a further 11 assists.

Oxlade-Chamberlain also impressed in the right wing-back position and made the spot his own in the latter stages of the campaign when Wenger changed systems, and those performances will have caught the eye of Conte.

Would he be a good signing for Chelsea?

He certainly would be, and his arrival would also weaken a direct rival.

Oxlade-Chamberlain would provide great competition for Moses in the right-wing back spot but his versatility means that he would be able to cover a number of other positions too – a useful tool in what is sure to be a busy and tough season.

At 23 years of age and with a lot to prove in his career still, it would be a no-brainer for Chelsea to target the Three Lions star if he has no intention of signing a new deal with Arsenal, while he could also be available for a reduced price as he has just one year remaining on his current deal.

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