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Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the verge of joining Celtic. The 32-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Besiktas in August and has been training with Arsenal.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neil has confirmed mutual interest, though a deal is yet to be finalised. “I’ve spoken to him, but I’m sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London,” said O’Neill. “I’d be very interested in doing it. I’m surprised people haven’t taken him up.
“I think he was very excited about what we were saying. He knows all about the club, he’s a big friend of Joe Hart and Joe has spoken to him – not on our behalf. “It’s something we’re interested in but if it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain began his career at Southampton before moving to Arsenal in 2011, winning three FA Cups, and then to Liverpool for £35m, helping them win the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup, Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
Injuries limited his appearances in later seasons, including a year out with knee ligament damage and a hamstring injury in 2022. He made 46 appearances, scoring five goals, for Besiktas last season.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has taken a major step towards a coaching career. According to the Daily Mail, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been working on his coaching badges at Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta interested in bringing him into the club’s staff once he retires from playing.
The Englishman has been completing his UEFA B coaching licence in recent months at the north London club. He has also been training with the Under-21s to maintain his fitness while seeking a new club as a free agent. Arteta is said to be a big admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain and has plans to involve him in the coaching staff after his playing career ends.
The pair share a close bond, having played together at Arsenal between 2014 and 2016. Currently, the UEFA B licence only allows him to coach Arsenal’s Under-18s or Under-19s.
Should he pursue the UEFA A licence – which permits coaching the first team or Under-21s – it could take up to 12 months to complete. Arteta’s interest is driven by a desire to bring more former players into the Arsenal setup, which has seen a decline in recent years.
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