Agbonlahor can’t believe Aston Villa could sign ‘£120,000-a-week’ Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Aston Villa to steer clear of signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer as he would not get into their best side.
The former Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 29-year-old is “not the same player he was” and urged his old side to aim higher this summer.
According to the Daily Mail (26 March), Oxlade-Chamberlain is a target for Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle as he prepares to leave Liverpool for free in June.
The England international has made 12 appearances for the Merseysiders this season – including just five starts.
Oxlade-Chamberlain earns a reported wage of £120,000-a-week at Anfield.
Aston Villa’s squad boasts midfield options including John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz.
Unai Emery’s side are vying for their first top-half Premier League finish since returning to the top flight in 2019.
When asked if Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a useful signing in the summer window, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “No.
“I don’t see it happening. Why would Villa go out and sign a player with bad injury problems?
“Chamberlain has been a good player, he’s had an outstanding career – but I just don’t see why you would sign him when you aspire to break into the European places.
“Watching him, it’s clear that he’s no longer the same player he was.
“Aston Villa have got to aim higher. He doesn’t start in this current Villa team.
“They’ve got to look for better quality. We’ve already got a good squad, so any players you bring in have to be starters.
“To break into the top seven, you’re not going to do that with Chamberlain in the side.”
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