The 32-year-old free agent is training with Arsenal but has held conversations with the Hoops over a switch
08:11, 04 Feb 2026Updated 08:17, 04 Feb 2026
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Free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has already stated he wants to remain close to his family when he completes his next transfer.
And the former Arsenal and Liverpool star has conceded he hopes to remain in England - despite Celtic making a bid to tempt the 32-year-old to Glasgow. The England cap is weighing up his options after leaving Besiktas last summer.
He has been training with Arsenal in recent months with the Premier League leaders also considering offering the midfielder a short-term deal after picking up a host of injuries. Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill revealed on Tuesday he has spoken to Oxlade-Chamberlain - who hasn’t ruled out joining the Celtic Premiership push.
The Irishman insists the financial demands of the player won’t be a problem for the Parkhead men, but another issue could have been flagged by the player. During an appearance on Ben Foster's podcast at the end of the last year, the out of contract star explained his his plan to join an English club and be close to his family.
He said: "It’s a different situation for me to be in. I had it when I came out of Liverpool, and obviously I was a free agent, saw my contract out there. I had it for a month or two, but then the season kicked off, and I signed in Turkey, I think 14th of August.
"So, it wasn’t too long. It wasn’t like now. Now is obviously the season’s well and truly underway, and it’s that awkward bit of waiting, of like you’re missing out, and you want to be playing, so it’s different.
"It’s a it’s not a nice situation for any footballer to be in. I’m fortunate enough that I’ve put myself in the situation where I can choose what’s best for me and I’ve said no to things.
"There’s more in play now, family, children, be a bit more selective, ultimately, the whole thing is you want to get back playing and going again as soon as possible. There’s obviously stuff you can do to be proactive yourself and maybe find opportunities or let people know you're be open to opportunities.
"But yeah, ultimately you’re sat there, it’s out of your control, right? You’re sat waiting for a call or for a team to decide they need you or that you can bring value. It’s just a lot of waiting around."
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - FEBRUARY 15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Besiktas looks on during the Turkish Super League match between Besiktas and Trabzonspor at Turpas Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
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Discussing offers he has received so far, Oxlade-Chamberlain revealed the hitch that could give Celtic a problem in bringing him in. Asked if clubs had made contact, he said: "Yeah, but to be fair, the majority of them have been in Europe, away from home. For me, I did two years away, which I found difficult on a family level.
"I was going six weeks, eight weeks without seeing my son, my missus, mum and dad, they didn’t even get a look in because if I ever come back for a day or two, it would be seeing them, seeing him, that was difficult.
"So, I just knew I don’t want to do that again. I want to be back in England. And it’s just waiting for the right thing to pop up back here, or close enough that that makes sense for a family thing.
"I think once you have children, it changes things. It’s not all just about me now, and completely about football. It needs to suit that as well. I’ve had offers, and I’ve had to say no to them because it wasn’t right for me and for us.
"So then your pool comes down to, you know, you’re saying, I want to be here. Then it’s just waiting for the right thing, the right project, something I can be excited about, to go into and hit the ground running hopefully."
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