Celtic edge closer to signing ‘outstanding’ player in out-of-window deal
Celtic are in advanced talks over a deal to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Parkhead on a free transfer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is available on a free transfer after leaving Besiktas in the summer, with the Bhoys keen to bring the midfielder up north.
The 32-year-old spent much of his time in Turkey on the injury table, still managing to make 50 appearances across the two years.
For the last few months, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with Arsenal as he attempts to build his fitness.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was linked with several Premier League clubs in December, but a move did not materialise.
Martin O’Neill to get his wish as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deal neared
Speaking on Tuesday about the links to Oxlade-Chamberlain, Martin O’Neill admitted that he had already spoken to him.
The manager revealed that he is keen to see the 32-year-old sign for the Scottish Premiership club, despite his lack of recent minutes.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out of action since May last year, when he made his final appearances for Besiktas before departing.
| Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | Super Lig 2024-25 |
| Appearances | 18 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Tackles | 16 |
| Recoveries | 56 |
| Duels won | 40 |
The former England international played in a variety of positions for the Super Lig club, but favours the centre of the pitch.
He starred there for Liverpool, making 146 appearances in six years at Anfield and winning both the Premier League and the Champions League.
‘The Ox’, as he is often referred to, was signed by Arsenal as a teenager from Southampton in 2011, and featured almost 200 times for the Gunners.
There, he met now Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has been key in allowing Oxlade-Chamberlain to build his fitness back up.
It appears that O’Neill will be getting his wish, with Sky Sports reporting on Thursday that Celtic are in advanced talks to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The midfielder could undergo a medical on Thursday, with the Bhoys confident of completing the deal.
What Jurgen Klopp said about ‘incredible’ Oxlade-Chamberlain
Oxlade-Chamberlain was never an undisputed starter at Liverpool, often suffering with injuries and performing a more bit-part role.
But his impact was always key, and he scored numerous big goals. One that will instantly spring to mind was his stunning strike against Man City in 2018 as the Reds knocked the Premier League champions out of the Champions League.
Speaking about him after he left in 2023, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Ox was that good. It was everything: he came here, had played from time to time at wing-back at Arsenal, winger for sure, and he became a proper No.8 here in the way we wanted to play – super-energetic, technically outstanding.
“I remember early and we had our first finishing sessions and I looked and thought, ‘He didn’t score that many goals in the past, if I could shoot like you I would start in the morning at seven and finish shooting at nine or 10 o’clock because it’s incredible!’”