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Former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been released from his contract at Besiktas with immediate effect amid links over a return to English football this summer.
The 32-year-old has not been involved in any of the first six matches of the new season (including five European qualifiers) and reports emerged in July that he was set to have his deal at the Turkish club terminated.
However, Oxlade-Chamberlain remained at Besiktas until the news broke on Wednesday that he could move elsewhere for free. This means next week’s European transfer deadline will not impact the former Southampton and Arsenal man.
In a statement, Besitkas said: "Our contract with our professional football player Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain has been terminated by mutual consent. According to the agreement, the player will be paid a termination compensation of €1,750,000 (£2.04M/£1.51M)."
Oxlade-Chamberlain was linked with a move to Birmingham City this month, plus Leeds United and Leicester City earlier this window.
The Mirror’s John Cross has claimed on X that the one-time England international is eyeing a return to England.
Having joined Besiktas from Liverpool in 2023, following six trophy-laden years at Anfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain went on to make 50 appearances.
He was frozen out by former coach - and now Arne Slot’s assistant at Liverpool - Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but forced his way back into the side last season after the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain last played in a 4-1 win over Adana Demirspor on May 11.
Having played predominantly as an attacking midfielder during his time in England, Oxlade-Chamberlain became a more versatile player in Turkey, often operating in a holding role or box-to-box position. He even played at right-back in the latter stages of last season.
He will likely attract no shortage of interest across the Championship and lower echelons of the Premier League.
During his two-year stint in Turkey, Oxlade-Chamberlain won the Turkish Cup, adding to his collection of winners’ medals at Liverpool, which include the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, and FA Cup.
He won the latter three times at Arsenal, where he played for six years before making the move north to Liverpool.
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