According to reports in The Times, Southampton are among a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.

What’s the story, then?

Well, the 23-year-old’s contract with the Gunners runs out next summer and while he hasn’t been offered a new deal, it is understood that the England international is ready to leave the Emirates for a new challenge anyway because of a lack of regular playing time, and silverware.

Those frustrations appear to have boiled over on to the pitch in recent weeks, with him being visibly upset with his teammates when Arsenal were beaten 5-1 away at Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Oxlade-Chamberlain feels his club career has stagnated six years after he moved to the north London outfit from Southampton, and they could look to cash in on him this summer rather than let him leave for free next.

Saints, along with the likes of West Ham and Liverpool, are all said to be keen on signing him.

Would he want to return to Southampton?

It depends.

If Oxlade-Chamberlain wants trophies then he is more likely to want to join a Liverpool or a Chelsea, but if he wants guaranteed playing time at a club that he knows well and where he will be the big fish in a small pond, then a return to St Mary’s could be just what the doctor ordered.

Where would he fit in?

More recently, Saints boss Claude Puel has adopted the 4-2-3-1 formation that served the club so well last season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain could easily play in any of those midfield positions, although a deeper role alongside the more defensively-minded Oriol Romeu might be his preference.

What’s the verdict, then?

All in all it seems unlikely, but you can never say never in modern day football.