Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 1 June 2026 8:45, UK

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Celtic midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took to social media to wish Ibrahima Konate the best after the announcement that he would be leaving Liverpool.

The Frenchman’s contract has expired at Anfield, with the sides failing to come to an agreement despite months of negotiation.

He will now be a free agent and open to offers from anywhere, with potential suitors already beginning to emerge.

Oxlade-Chamberlain could find himself in a similar position, if his new club fail to trigger the option to extend in his contract.

The Englishman’s contract is expected to have expired on Sunday, but Celtic transfer chiefs may still be able to trigger the one-year option.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s message to Ibrahima Konate

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Celtic are still deciding over Oxlade-Chamberlain, with it expected that a decision will be made during pre-season.

The midfielder had been without a club and was training with his former side, Arsenal, before he was approached by Celtic.

The 32-year-old is hugely experienced and, despite several prior injury issues, still has significant quality.

Oxlade-Chamberlain undoubtedly repaid the wages Celtic spent on him with match-winning strikes against Livingston and St Mirren, which ultimately kept them in the title race and allowed them the chance to go on and win it.

But when it came to crunch time, Martin O’Neill bizarrely appeared to forget all about him.

The midfielder would spend every one of Celtic’s final four Scottish Premiership games sitting on the bench throughout, although he did play against Dunfermline as they won the cup.

Oxlade-Chamberlain remains an experienced head on a talented player in what will be a relatively cheap deal, however.

Konate took to Instagram to announce his departure from Liverpool on Sunday, and wrote: “This isn’t an easy goodbye, but it’s time for a new challenge and a new chapter.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain left a comment for his former teammate, referring to him as “mon gars” – a French phrase which loosely translates to “my guy”.

Oxlade-Chamberlain deal is low-risk

The potential upsides of signing Oxlade-Chamberlain to another year are huge. At the very least, the former England international is a huge figure to have in the dressing room.

Should he find form, he will undoubtedly be among the best midfielders in the Scottish Premiership.

The OX from outside the bOX 😮‍💨#CELLIV | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/MfNqykJz5g

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 11, 2026

The downsides are not big, either. The 32-year-old may well be on wages that hinge on the upper side for Celtic, but he surely took a pay cut to join in February anyway.

If his injuries return, the Bhoys could lose him for the entire year. But they will simply never know unless he is handed a new deal.