Chelsea have agreed a fee with Arsenal to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

The deal is expected to be worth £35 million and appears imminent after Chelsea fended off Liverpool in the race for the 24-year-old’s signature.

Liverpool can still make a late swoop for the player with personal terms yet to be agree with Chelsea but will have to move swiftly.

Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected a new contract at Arsenal worth £180,000-a-week, leading the club to agree to a sale with his current deal running out next summer.

Rather than lose him for free next year, the Gunners are now resigned to cashing in on the England international.