The storm around Southampton midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reaching fever pitch.
It was assumed that Arsenal had wrapped up a deal to sign the 17 year old and that he would follow Theo Walcott to the Emirates but this week news broke that Manchester United had hijacked the transfer and that he would hopefully be persuaded to join United unlike previous targets Walcott and Gareth Bale.
Sir Alex has had the opportunity to see him in action previously. Having just been announced we would play them in the FA Cup 4th round, Southampton took on Oldham and Sir Alex went along to see them hammer 6 past our own Ben Amos, witht Oxlade Chamberlain opening the scoring.
Despite this apparent United interest, as is the usual line with the club, there was nothing official from the club or Sir Alex to confirm this and when asked about the youngster today in his pre match presser, Sir Alex held his cards very close to his chest saying,
“The boy has potential, he’s only young. Southampton have done very well over the years in bringing young players through and he’s another one.”
Tomorrow’s game will be interesting for a number of reasons, Chamberlain is expected to play so many of us will get a first hand chance to see him in action and how he shapes up against the obvious quality we will hopefully put out.