Martin Keown warns Antonio Conte this transfer deal will damage his Chelsea squad

MARTIN KEOWN believes Chelsea should not sell Oscar.

By Alex Harris

Martin Keown has warned Chelsea against selling Oscar

Stamford Bridge chiefs have reportedly accepted a £60m bid from the Chinese Super League club for the Brazil international.

Oscar, 25, has revealed his move is 90 per cent complete.

But Keown believes Antonio Conte will be left with a weaker squad if he leaves mid-season.

"I think his departure would weaken Chelsea's cause — and you question the ambition of the player," the Arsenal legend told the Daily Mail.

Oscar is close to joining Shanghai SIPG

"Even though he is not playing at the moment, the 25-year-old would be moving away from the best league in Europe.

"Oscar is surely well paid enough as it as at Chelsea but, with a transfer fee of £52m, the club will no doubt happily take the pot of gold.

Martin Keown reckons Antonio Conte will be left with a weaker squad

"Odion Ighalo was in a similar situation last year.

"He has not been starting recently for Watford but if he re-establishes himself in the team and starts scoring again then I'm sure he would be happier than if he had taken the money and gone to China."

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