CELTIC’S reported interest in former £35million man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be scuppered – by a former Rangers player!
The 32-year-old ex-Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder is available after being released by Besiktas in August last year.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, capped 35 times by England, has been training at his former London club as he attempts to regain fitness in his quest for a new club.
Martin O’Neill brought in three loan signings before last night’s deadline – striker Junior Adamu (SC Freiburg), winger Joel Mvuka (Lorient) and centre-back Benjamin Arthur (Brentford) – but is eyeing the free agent as part of his Hoops jigsaw for the crucial second part of the campaign, according to Sky Sports.
TAKE-OFF…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaps for joy after scoring for England in their 2-2 draw with Scotland at Hampden in June 2017.
Former Ibrox star Mikel Arteta has allowed the player training facilities at the Gunners – but may now be considering an offer of a deal until the end of the season as injuries countinue to mount up at the title-chasing outfit.
The Arsenal gaffer admitted it was “a privilege” to play alongside him after the all-action middle-of-the-park performer joined the club from Southampton in a £12million switch in 2011 and made 132 Premier League appearances in a six-year spell at the Emirates.
He joined Liverpool for £35million in 2017 and won the Champions League and Premier League in six years under Jurgen Klopp.
Oxlade-Chamberlain left Anfield in the summer of 2023 to join Besiktas on a three-year deal.
Injuries, though, hampered his time in Turkey and his contract was terminated in August last year.
As an out-of-contract player, there is no need to rush to get a deal over the line, but O’Neill will want the experienced ex-international to be available as soon as possible if the champions follow up their initial interest.
The Hoops delved into the free agent market earlier this term when they signed former Manchester City and Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho who had been released by Sevilla on UEFA deadline day.
Now they could stage an action replay – if Arteta doesn’t make the first move.
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