Celtic can do eight deals in next 24 hours despite window closing | Football | Sport

There was a time when Celtic wouldn’t have entertained the free agent market. However, the times are changing for a club that appears to be in a state of transfer uncertainty. A chaotic deadline day did little to satisfy a frustrated section of supporters who demanded more signings, with Junior Adamu, Benjamin Arthur and Joel Mvuka all arriving on temporary deals, bringing the total number of loan signings this window to five following the captures of Tomas Cvancara and Julian Araujo.

Mvuka’s arrival proved especially nerve-wracking as an intended permanent £3million transfer collapsed due to concerns arising from the Norwegian’s medical before a revised temporary arrangement with Lorient was finalised. Celtic’s genuine appetite for unattached players has intensified and they are monitoring former Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain closely.

Both Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney emphasised that right wing was a crucial position during their recruitment drive, but will Mvuka’s arrival, despite the medical concerns, suffice for the rest of the campaign?

Here, we take a look at who remains available now that the transfer window has shut.

He’s the player Celtic are targeting and the circumstances could be ideal. Oxlade-Chamberlain is looking for a UK-based switch following the recent birth of his second child and has been keeping fit with his former club Arsenal lately.

He hasn’t featured in a competitive match since representing previous club Besiktas last May. The 32-year-old may not possess the pace of his younger years, but has successfully transformed into a substantial central midfielder since being repositioned during his golden period at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage.

Celtic supporters will understandably harbour reservations, yet Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the example that demonstrates not all free transfers are equivalent.

Among all the unattached players, it’s Raheem Sterling who would address Celtic’s most pressing requirement on the right flank of their attack. The 31-year-old finds himself a free agent after cutting ties with Chelsea.

The 82-cap England international suffered a disappointing loan stint with Arsenal last season and was effectively banished to Chelsea’s unwanted list.

Sterling channelled his disappointment into mentoring emerging talents and is currently seeking fresh opportunities. His enormous £325,000 weekly salary at Stamford Bridge is no longer a burden, but Sterling, despite his recent setbacks, may still have something to offer in the proper environment.

The maverick former Manchester United star enjoyed a career revival in South Korea with Seoul FC but is now seeking a fresh opportunity. The 33-year-old was linked with Celtic last month, though the strongest connection has been regarding a potential return to West Ham.

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It feels like a Premier League throwback tour, but former Tottenham sensation Dele Alli is hunting for a new club. He had a stint with Como last season that failed to materialise after a disappointing period at Everton, which included a loan move to Besiktas.

During his peak years, Alli earned comparisons to Paul Gascoigne from Sir Alex Ferguson, yet he now seems a diminished presence in football. Alli received praise for openly discussing his personal struggles, and a late-career resurgence would be welcomed throughout the football community.

The 31-year-old has been available since departing Cluj, having previously impressed at West Ham and Chelsea. He likely matches Martin O’Neill’s preferences for a centre-back, though it seems his prime years are behind him.

Similar to Zouma mentioned above, the well-travelled former Celtic loanee has remained without a club since departing Al-Fateh and doesn’t seem rushed to secure his next destination. Denayer was exceptional alongside Virgil van Dijk when they formed an impressive partnership over ten years ago in the green and white hoops.

He boasts 35 international appearances for Belgium, though he hasn’t represented his nation since 2022.

Can we have a bit of fun?

Listen, if nothing else Kent operates on the left wing but the bigger hurdle is clearly his long-standing ties to Rangers.

It’s been some time since we’ve witnessed a player cross the Old Firm divide and this season, which has already been absolutely mad, would another dose of chaos really be unwelcome?

Kent’s career has declined since departing Ibrox for Seattle when his contract expired. It won’t materialise, Celtic supporters, we’re simply informing you who’s available.

To conclude we’ve selected a player who suits the requirements for playing on the right. Paraguay international Medina departed Saudi outfit Demac last month and previously excelled in Major League Soccer with New York City under Ronny Deila’s management.