Sources: Martin O’Neill holds the key as Celtic close in on out-of-window signing
Celtic are closing in on the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after he emerged as a target to add quality strength in depth to their midfield.
The 32-year-old is expected to officially arrive in Glasgow on 6 February, with the Hoops moving quickly to get a deal over the line following the end of the transfer window.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Martin O’Neill is keen to link up with the former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder.
Both the manager and Oxlade-Chamberlain had expressed their interest in the move and are now prepared to push forward with an agreement.
The midfielder has been training with Arsenal to maintain fitness following his departure from Turkish club Besiktas at the end of last season.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain closes in on Celtic deal
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Celtic were considering signing Oxlade-Chamberlain and were doing their due diligence on the deal.
The Hoops planned to assess the midfielder’s fitness levels given his last senior appearance came for Besiktas in May, before he suffered a knee injury.
However, they now appear to be content with his condition and are moving ahead with plans to bring him in, with an announcement expected within hours.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “It will be a gamble by Celtic if they are to bring him in. He’s not played any football since leaving Besiktas.
“He’s been keeping himself in shape by training at former club Arsenal.
“Martin O’Neill’s confirmed he would be interested in Oxlade-Chamberlain and the player himself has indicated that he could be interested in a move. So it might work for all parties.
“Celtic get another midfielder to add to their squad and Oxlade-Chamberlain gets an opportunity to regain his match fitness.
“Ideally, Martin O’Neill would like players who could come in and make an immediate impact.
“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a top player, had a very successful career to date with Arsenal and Liverpool and he probably would add something to that Celtic team right now as well.
“It’s just whether he would be fit enough to come in and make an impact and become a starter in Martin O’Neill’s team.”
Celtic could be set to lose Arne Engels
Oxlade-Chamberlain is not the only midfielder making headlines at Celtic, with speculation about Arne Engels’ future dominating transfer deadline day.
Nottingham Forest made three bids for the 22-year-old on deadline day, the largest of which would have equalled the Scottish record £25million sale.
Brown told Football Insider on 5 February that Engels could quit Celtic in the summer if Forest or another Premier League club make a fresh move for him.
Forest remain very keen on Engels and are set to keep tabs on his progress as O’Neill’s side hunt the Scottish Premiership title.
Should they return with an offer of similar or even increased value come the end of the season, Celtic may have no choice but to let him move on.
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