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The free agent is inching closer to a return to football and a move to the Scottish champions
09:57, 05 Feb 2026Updated 10:10, 05 Feb 2026
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain - Celtic targets career in numbers
What you need to know as free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain closes in on a move to Celtic after talks with Martin O'Neill.
The Hoops are in the market for another midfielder with experienced Oxlade-Chamberlain free to make the switch to Celtic Park outside of the transfer window.
Who is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? The 32-year-old midfielder has had a glittering career lifting three FA Cups with Arsenal and the Champions League, Premier League and EFL Cup during his time at Liverpool. He claimed the Turkish Cup with Besiktas in 2024, before leaving Istanbul last summer. He also boasts 35 England caps to his name.
When he last played a game:Oxlade-Chamberlain has faced a long wait to return to action. His last competitive game came on May 11, 2025 in Besiktas against Adana Demirspor. He was released by the Istanbul giants last summer.
What he has been doing since? While out of the game, Mikel Arteta has welcomed Oxlade-Chamberlain to train with Arsenal. There are reports he could be offered a short-term deal by his former club.
What has Mikel Arteta said? The Arsenal boss heaped praise on the former Gunner after he linked up with the club's U21 side. In November he said: “One of the best characters I’ve met in football. If we can help him and give him the space for him to get up to speed and have the capacity to find a club. It’s a joy, the boys will learn from it. I had the privilege to play with him and if he is around he will be a really good role model to have around the team.” He also refused to rule out a deal last week: “We explore every option.”
What has Martin O'Neill said? The Celtic boss has revealed that he has held talks with the player. Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, he said: "He's working down on his training at Arsenal at this moment. Arsenal may even offer him a contract. I was astonished that it hadn't been picked up. He was talking about the difficulties out in Turkey. But someone of that sort of experience would be great. It may still happen because he's out of contract."
What has Oxlade-Chamberlain said? The player has made it clear he has two priorities with his next move - game time and being close to his family. He said: "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." He has also said since his Besiktas exit: "I want to play. I don’t feel old. I’m fit, and I’ve still got that hunger."
Oxlade-Chamberlain's famous fiance: Oxlade-Chamberlain is engaged to Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, of Little Mix. They have a son named Axel.
How much his wages will cost: He's a player who is used to commanding big money. While he was at Besiktas he was earning a whopping £2.2m per season, and landed a £1.5m payoff to rip up his contract last summer. Martin O'Neill insists the salary won't be a problem: “No it’s not the money, it’s not for the money. I have spoken to him."
When could he arrive?Celtic are attempting to rush the deal through before Thursday's Europa League squad deadline. The cut off for the midfielder to face Stuttgart is Thursday night – two weeks out from the first leg at Parkhead on February 19.
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