Training with Arsenal 

© Beşiktaş

Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly in Glasgow today to finalise a deal to Glasgow giants Celtic, with a verbal agreement in place. The Englishman has beena free agent since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in the summer, and has been keeping his fitness up by training with former club and current Premier League leaders Arsenal in recent months. He is expected to sign a six month deal plus option to extend. Oxlade-Chamberlain has a current market value of just €1.5 million.

Hoops boss Martin O’Neil confirmed his interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain this week and believes the interest is mutual. “I’ve spoken to him, but I’m sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London,” said O’Neill. “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.” Oxlade-Chamberlain started his career at South-coast club Southampton and joined Arsenal in 2011, when he was just a teenager.

He went on to win three FA Cups with the Gunners, but joined Liverpool for €38 million, which remarkably stills stands as Arsenal’s record sale to this day. He then helped the Reds win the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup. However, Oxlade-Chamberlain also suffered several injury setbacks throughout his career including knee ligament damage that kept him out for a year from April 2018.

A hamstring injury during pre-season in July 2022 then led to a three-month lay-off, with Oxlade-Chamberlain making only nine Premier League appearances in his final campaign with the Merseysiders. The England international joined Besiktas in 2023 and made 46 appearances, scoring five goals. If he can stay fit, Oxlade-Chamberlain will certainly add a wealth fo experience to Celtic as they look to chase down Hearts for the Scottish Premiership title.