The Hoops are confident of bringing in the 32-year-old for the Premiership title fight
06:52, 06 Feb 2026
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Free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reportedly been offered a path into the Arsenal coaching set-up amid talks with Celtic.
The England cap has been weighing up his options after leaving Besiktas last summer and has been training with Arsenal in recent months. But the 32-year-old appears to be closing in a switch to the Scottish champions, and is set to arrive in Glasgow to iron out the final details of a deal.
But Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on the former Gunner having a role at the Emirates. The Daily Mail report that Oxlade-Chamberlain has been doing his UEFA B coaching license with training with Arsenal.
Boss Arteta is said to be "a big admirer" and "has an eye on him for a coaching role once he retires" as he wants more former Arsenal stars involved in the behind the scenes set-up. However, it is claimed the midfielder told the boss he is keen to continue playing with a switch to Celtic inching closer.
When discussing the involvement of former players behind the scenes at the Premier League leaders, he said: "I love it. At the end, that history of the club, people who have lived those experiences, bring something different.
"It's like an academy player that has been here since he was eight. He has something else in them, a special feeling. That's the power of it.
"I would be more than happy to have more. I have some very personal relations with some ex-players that have been part of different teams in the history of the club that are so helpful."
When asked about the prospect of a deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain last week, he said: “We explore every option.”
Record Sport understands a move to Celtic has yet to be rubber stamped – missing the midnight deadline to register players for the Europa League clash with Stuttgart.
Celtic have kicked off medical checks with the player - but while personal terms are understood to not be a problem the talks hit a stumbling block over the length of the deal, with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s camp keen on an option to extend at the end of term.
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Celtic remain interested but have explored a move for former Chelsea and AC Milan midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko if a deal collapses.
Bakayoko, who left PAOK on a free in January, has already thrown the door open to his next move - insisting he hasn't enjoyed being out of the game.
Speaking last month, he said: “The transfer window? There are some things coming about my future. I am feeling 100 per cent ready for the next challenge. I miss football a lot.”
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