Celtic transfer collapses ‘on the verge’ of completion, Martin O’Neill opts to look elsewhere
Celtic have been desperately trying to add the finishing touches to their squad using the free agent market in recent days.
The Bhoys are scrapping with Hearts and Rangers to try and retain their Scottish Premiership title, and that has seen them make plenty of moves in the transfer market of late.
Celtic signed Junior Adamu on loan from Freiburg on deadline day, as the Austrian was one of three new loan additions to come through the door in the final hours of the winter window.
Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur also made late moves to join the group, but that has done little to prevent Martin O’Neill from exploring other avenues to potentially strengthen his squad.
Celtic move for Tiemoue Bakayoko collapses
O’Neill is desperate to win the title with Celtic this term, as he prepares to say his final goodbyes at the end of the season, and he is doing everything he can to increase their chances of success.
The 73-year-old has been keen to bolster his midfield after the conclusion of the transfer window earlier this week, and that has seen Celtic turn their attention towards free agent Tiemoue Bakayoko.
The former Chelsea man had been “on the verge” of joining the Glasgow giants on an 18-month contract, according to L’Equipe, but that move has since collapsed with an agreement imminent.
Bakayoko’s move to Parkhead fell through due to O’Neill and the Celtic hierarchy, who opted at the last minute to pursue Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain instead of the Frenchman.
The 32-year-old Englishman has been training with Arsenal of late, and is expected to sign with the Bhoys imminently after passing his medical on Thursday.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain flies in for Friday transfer completion
Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to join Celtic on Friday, with the former Liverpool star set to jet into Glasgow in the coming hours to finalise his move.
O’Neill and Co. initially wanted to take the veteran on a short-term deal until the end of the season, but the player and his representatives have pushed for the option of a further year to be included as part of the deal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been a free agent since terminating his contract with Besiktas back in August, and his imminent switch to Scotland will see him play in the UK for the first time since 2023.
Celtic had been hoping to get the deal over the line before the Europa League squad registration deadline, but they have failed in that aim, meaning he will be unavailable for the upcoming tie with Stuttgart.