Oxlade-Chamberlain having medical as he bids goodbye to Arsenal | Football | Sport
Celtic are in advanced talks to secure the signing of former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 32-year-old has been a free agent since his contract was terminated by Besiktas in August.
He has been maintaining his fitness by training with Arsenal over the last couple of months while searching for a new deal. Despite speculation that the Gunners might offer him a contract as a free agent, he appears set to join the Scottish Premiership champions instead.
According to Sky Sports, Celtic are on the verge of completing the signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain, with a medical arranged for the midfielder on Thursday afternoon. The report states that Martin O’Neill’s side have overcome ‘lots of competition’ for his services, with Birmingham City and Leeds United amongst other interested parties.
It comes after O’Neill confirmed he had spoken with the player during Tuesday’s press conference. When questioned about Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Celtic manager said: “I’ve spoken to him, but I’m sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London. I’d be very interested in doing it. I’m surprised people haven’t taken him up.
“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. It’s something we’re interested in but if it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain had been identified as a potential short-term solution for Arsenal following confirmation that Mikel Merino required surgery on a bone injury to his right foot. When questioned about the possibility of signing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta said on Monday: “We explore every option.”
“[He is a] top. Top character,” Arteta said earlier this season when the midfielder began training with Arsenal. “One of the best characters I’ve met in football.”
“If we can help him and give him the space for him to get up to speed and have the capacity to find a club. It’s a joy, the boys will learn from it. I had the privilege to play with him and if he is around he will be a really good role model to have around the team.”
The Portsmouth-born midfielder initially joined Arsenal in a £15million transfer from Southampton in 2011. He went on to spend six years at the Emirates Stadium, racking up 198 appearances and securing three FA Cup triumphs.
Oxlade-Chamberlain departed the Gunners to join Liverpool in 2017, where he became a fan favourite at Anfield, featuring prominently in their Premier League title-winning season in 2019/20 and collecting several other major trophies.
He left the Reds when his contract expired in 2023 and chose to join Besiktas. Having made 50 appearances over two seasons, Oxlade-Chamberlain parted ways with the Turkish side by mutual agreement last August.
Now, having trained with the Arsenal first-team since November, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been presented with an opportunity to move north to Scotland and join Celtic, who are pursuing a fifth consecutive league title.
The Hoops return to action when they welcome Dundee in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Saturday. They take on Livingston four days later before making the trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday, February 15.
