Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed direct talks with former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and expressed strong interest in signing the 32-year-old free agent. The ex-Liverpool and Arsenal player has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in the summer. According to Bbc.com.
Celtic manager O’Neill confirms talks with England international Oxlade-Chamberlain
O’Neill revealed his enthusiasm for the potential signing while acknowledging the competition Celtic face for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s signature. “I’ve spoken to him, but I’m sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London,” the Celtic manager admitted. “I’d be very interested in doing it. I’m surprised people haven’t taken him up.”
The former England international, capped 35 times for his country, has been maintaining his fitness by training with his former club Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain mutually agreed to terminate his contract at Besiktas in late August after scoring five goals in 50 appearances and winning the Turkish Cup in 2024.
O’Neill suggested that Celtic’s connection through former goalkeeper Joe Hart could prove influential in any potential deal. “I think he was very excited about what we were saying. He knows all about the club, he’s a big friend of Joe Hart and Joe has spoken to him – not on our behalf,” O’Neill explained.
The Celtic manager remained realistic about the prospects of securing the midfielder’s services, stating: “It’s something we’re interested in but if it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.” O’Neill also defended Celtic’s recent focus on loan signings, explaining that “the January window is difficult for permanent deals” after securing five temporary additions this month.
Celtic completed three loan signings on transfer deadline day, bringing in striker Junior Adamu from Freiburg, winger Joel Mvuka from Lorient and defender Benjamin Arther from Brentford. The club also rejected an approach from Nottingham Forest for midfielder Arne Engels during the window.
