Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is close to joining Chelsea

The Gunners agreed to sell the 24-year-old, despite boss Arsene Wenger recently claiming he was “one of the players we want to build around in the future”.

Starsport understands Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance in Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool - when he was hauled off in the 62nd minute - finally persuaded the Frenchman to accept Chelsea’s offer.

Last week, Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is in the final year of his Arsenal contract, turned down a new deal worth a basic £150,000 a week, saying he wanted £200,000.

It is understood he has secured a contract at Stamford Bridge worth £220,000 a week.

Wenger now had to decide whether to sell another contract rebel, star striker Alexis Sanchez, to Manchester City, who are ready to pay £70m.

He wants Belgium international centre-back Jason Denayer in return as part of the deal.

Starsport also revealed last week that Sanchez, 28, had demanded a contract of £400,000 a week, £100,000 more than the club have offered.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, currently with Gareth Southgate’s England squad as they prepare for Friday night’s World Cup qualifying clash in Malta, is expected to have his medical at the national team’s HQ at St George’s Park in the next 24 hours before signing a five-year deal.

The Arsenal star will be granted special leave by England to enable him to tie up his move across London.

Boss Southgate wants to see all transfer business involving his players tied up before the matches against Malta and at home to Slovakia four days later.

Liverpool also were keen on Oxlade-Chamberlain but their interest cooled with the Anfield club yesterday putting in a £70m bid for Monaco forward Thomas Lemar and also agreeing a £48m deal for Naby Keita to join them next summer.

Wenger had been chasing Lemar but may now turn to Leicester for £50m-rated Riyad Mahrez.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s departure to a rival London club will come as a major blow to under-fire Gunners manager Wenger.

Premier League champions Chelsea are also moving closer to a £40m deal for Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater.