Ex-Arsenal and Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is edging toward a move to Scottish Premiership title holders Celtic.
Now aged 32, the midfielder has been unattached since his contract with Turkish outfit Besiktas ended in August.
Although an agreement has not yet been completed, sources have indicated that a transfer to Celtic Park is increasingly probable.
O’Neill confirms dialogue and shared interest
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has acknowledged direct discussions with Oxlade-Chamberlain and suggested both sides are open to the idea.
The Hoops boss admitted he expected competition, particularly from clubs based closer to London, given the player’s profile and experience.
O’Neill also revealed that Oxlade-Chamberlain is well acquainted with Celtic through his friendship with goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has spoken to him informally rather than as a club intermediary.
Career background and recent challenges
Oxlade-Chamberlain began his professional journey at Southampton before securing a move to Arsenal in 2011, where he featured 198 times and lifted the FA Cup on three occasions.
A £35m transfer later took him to Liverpool, where he collected major honors, including the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
His time on Merseyside was repeatedly disrupted by fitness issues, notably serious knee damage in 2018 and a hamstring problem in mid-2022, limiting his involvement in his final season.
After joining Besiktas in 2023, the England international played 46 matches and found the net five times before departing last summer.