Could Celtic be on the verge of a major signing that shakes up the Scottish Premiership? Martin O'Neill, the club's manager, has openly expressed his keen interest in bringing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Parkhead—a move that has sparked both excitement and debate among fans. But here's where it gets controversial: despite Oxlade-Chamberlain's impressive pedigree, including 35 England caps and stints at Arsenal and Liverpool, he's currently a free agent after parting ways with Besiktas. So, why hasn't he been snapped up already? O'Neill seems baffled by this, too, stating, 'I'm surprised people haven't taken him up.'
The 32-year-old midfielder, who recently trained with Arsenal, has reportedly been in talks with O'Neill. While the manager admits Oxlade-Chamberlain likely has options closer to London, he remains optimistic. 'I'd be very interested in doing it,' O'Neill said, adding that the player seemed 'very excited' about the prospect. Interestingly, Oxlade-Chamberlain's connection to Celtic runs deeper than you might think—he's close friends with Joe Hart, who has already spoken to him about the club. But this is the part most people miss: O'Neill is pragmatic about the deal, acknowledging, 'If it doesn't materialise, it doesn't materialise.'
Oxlade-Chamberlain's journey to this point is worth noting. After leaving Liverpool in 2023, he moved to Istanbul, where he scored five goals in 50 appearances for Besiktas and lifted the Turkish Cup in 2024. His contract was mutually terminated in late August, leaving him free to explore new opportunities. Meanwhile, Celtic has been busy in the transfer market, securing three loan signings on deadline day: striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka, and defender Benjamin Arther. They also rejected an approach from Nottingham Forest for midfielder Arne Engels and welcomed Czech forward Tomas Cvancara and Mexican defender Julian Araujo on loan earlier this month.
But here's the kicker: O'Neill insists Celtic isn't just focused on temporary deals. Despite the January window being notoriously tough for permanent transfers, he hinted that the club had targeted players who could have made a significant impact. 'The players we were going to spend money on... would have been difficult not to like,' he said, leaving fans wondering what could have been. And this raises a thought-provoking question: Is Celtic's reliance on loans a strategic move or a missed opportunity for long-term growth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a game-changer for Celtic, or is the club better off focusing on younger talent? The debate is open!
