Ex-Arsenal and Liverpool Star Receives Payout to Secure Freedom from Contract

Beşiktaş have confirmed the mutual termination of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's deal, ending his contract a full year ahead of its scheduled expiration, with widespread speculation pointing toward his return to England's football scene.

The ex-Arsenal and Liverpool player departed Merseyside to sign with Beşiktaş as a free agent during summer 2023. Similar to his period at Anfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain's tenure in Turkey was plagued by fitness issues. A thigh muscle tear sidelined the adaptable English player for 100 straight days in his debut season and resulted in his exclusion from the team's 2024–25 Europa League squad list.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's first domestic league appearance didn't come until December. The campaign wasn't completely without highlights for the 32-year-old, who netted the decisive goal in a memorable triumph against José Mourinho's Fenerbahçe. Playing across multiple positions from right-back to right midfielder, and occasionally featuring in central midfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain managed to secure a series of starting roles before suffering knee ligament damage in May.

Beşiktaş provided a rather cold send-off for their departing player, revealing that Oxlade-Chamberlain received €1.75 million (£1.5 million, $2 million) for the early termination of his deal in a brief statement containing merely 34 words.

Anticipation suggests that Oxlade-Chamberlain will rejoin English football this summer. Birmingham Mail reports that newly-promoted Championship side Birmingham City are showing interest in the former Southampton youth product.

The Blues dominated League One last season, securing the championship with a commanding 19-point margin over Wrexham. Following their Championship season opener with a 1–1 home stalemate against relegated Ipswich Town, Birmingham secured back-to-back wins against Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United.

As always, the concern surrounding Oxlade-Chamberlain remains his troublesome fitness history. Following his record-breaking departure from Arsenal—a €38 million transfer that remains the Gunners' highest sale to date—the energetic midfielder was absent for 105 matches during his six-year Liverpool stint.