Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently engaged in fresh transfer discussions, with Celtic emerging as a potential destination for the experienced English player. The 32-year-old has been without a club since his departure from Turkish side Besiktas in the summer, but recent developments suggest his search for new employment could be nearing a conclusion.
Celtic Boss Confirms Talks with Oxlade-Chamberlain
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has publicly confirmed that he has held discussions with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain regarding a possible move to the Scottish Premiership club. O'Neill revealed these talks have taken place following Oxlade-Chamberlain's return to train with his former club Arsenal earlier this season, where he maintained his fitness while seeking a new contract.
"I've spoken to him, but I'm sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London," O'Neill stated. "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."
Arteta's Arsenal Hint and Midfield Crisis
The Celtic interest comes as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dropped a significant hint about Oxlade-Chamberlain's situation. With Arsenal facing a midfield crisis following Mikel Merino's foot injury that will keep him sidelined for some time, Arteta was asked specifically about the possibility of signing his former teammate.
"We explore every option," Arteta responded when questioned about Oxlade-Chamberlain as a potential solution to Arsenal's midfield shortage.
Earlier this season, when Oxlade-Chamberlain was training with the Arsenal squad, Arteta offered glowing praise for the midfielder's character: "Top. Top character. 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."
Oxlade-Chamberlain's Career Journey
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain began his professional career with Southampton before making a significant move to Arsenal in 2011. During his seven-year spell with the Gunners, he made 198 appearances, scored 20 goals, and won three FA Cups, establishing himself as a versatile and dynamic midfielder.
In 2018, he transferred to Liverpool for £35 million, where he added 146 further appearances to his career tally. His time at Anfield proved particularly successful, with the midfielder winning the Premier League title, the Champions League, and the Carabao Cup during his five-year stay.
After leaving Liverpool in 2023, Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Besiktas in Turkey, but his spell there lasted just two seasons before his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, leaving him as a free agent since the summer.
What Next for the Experienced Midfielder?
With Celtic expressing concrete interest and Arsenal's manager offering public praise while acknowledging the club's midfield difficulties, Oxlade-Chamberlain finds himself with multiple potential pathways as he seeks to continue his professional career. The coming weeks will determine whether he returns to the Premier League, makes a move to Scottish football, or explores other options that may have emerged during his period as a free agent.
The situation represents an intriguing transfer storyline, combining elements of nostalgia with practical football considerations, as a player with substantial Premier League and European experience considers his next move at age 32.
