Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the verge of joining Celtic, marking a potential turning point for the Scottish champions. The 32-year-old, a free agent since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in August, has been training with his former club, Arsenal, but is now expected to finalize a move to Glasgow.
According to multiple reports, Oxlade-Chamberlain is scheduled to undergo a medical on , , with a view to completing a transfer to Celtic. While a deal isn’t yet finalized, Sky Sports reports that the club is relaxed about the situation, as he was unlikely to be included in their Europa League squad before the registration deadline of midnight on .
The potential arrival of Oxlade-Chamberlain at Celtic Park is being spearheaded by manager Martin O’Neill, who has publicly expressed his interest in the player. O’Neill confirmed he had spoken with Oxlade-Chamberlain earlier this week, noting the player’s enthusiasm for the possibility of joining the club. “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 stated. The manager acknowledged Oxlade-Chamberlain has other options, potentially closer to London, but remains hopeful of securing his signature.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the right player at the wrong time for Arsenal
For Arsenal fans, Oxlade-Chamberlain represents a period of promise and frustration. He played for the Gunners between 2011 and 2017, emerging as one of the most exciting young talents during the final years of Arsène Wenger’s tenure. Known for his pace and versatility, Oxlade-Chamberlain often showcased flashes of brilliance, but struggled to consistently settle into a defined position, fluctuating between midfield and wing roles.
His time at Arsenal was also marked by inconsistency due to injury. While not unique to Oxlade-Chamberlain – many players during that era faced similar challenges – frequent spells on the treatment table hampered his development and limited his impact. Despite these setbacks, he contributed to three FA Cup victories with the club.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is remembered as Arsenal’s record sale, moving to Liverpool in 2017 for a fee of £35 million. While that figure seems modest by today’s standards, it underscores a historical pattern of Arsenal not maximizing revenue from player sales.
Despite a successful spell at Liverpool, where he won the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup, injuries continued to plague his career. A hamstring injury in July 2022 led to a three-month lay-off, limiting his Premier League appearances in his final season with the club. He subsequently joined Besiktas in 2023, making 46 appearances and scoring five goals before becoming a free agent last summer.
The move to Celtic offers Oxlade-Chamberlain the opportunity to reignite his career in Scotland, potentially alongside former Arsenal teammate Kieran Tierney. The prospect of playing alongside Tierney, a boyhood Celtic supporter who returned to the club last summer, is reportedly appealing to Oxlade-Chamberlain. For Arsenal fans, seeing the pair reunited at Celtic is a more palatable outcome than witnessing Oxlade-Chamberlain’s success with Liverpool.
While the details of the contract are still being finalized – reports suggest a six-month deal with an option for a further year – the move appears to be progressing smoothly. Celtic overcame “lots of competition” for his services, with Birmingham City and Leeds also reportedly expressing interest. The arrival of a player with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s experience and pedigree could prove to be a significant boost for O’Neill’s side as they continue to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has 35 caps and has scored seven goals for England, demonstrating his international experience. His potential arrival at Celtic represents a fresh start for a player who, despite facing challenges with injuries and consistency, still possesses considerable talent and ambition.
