In an exciting development for Celtic fans, the club has successfully added former England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to their roster on a short-term deal that will last until the conclusion of the 2025/2026 season. However, there’s an intriguing twist as revealed by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.
On Friday afternoon, Martin O'Neill, the manager of Celtic, confirmed that the 32-year-old midfielder had reached an agreement with the Scottish champions after engaging in fruitful discussions in Glasgow. Currently, Oxlade-Chamberlain is undergoing medical assessments prior to officially finalizing his move to Parkhead. O'Neill had previously acknowledged the ongoing talks between Celtic and the player, displaying optimism about the potential transfer.
O'Neill expressed his genuine excitement over securing the talented midfielder, especially considering there were other clubs, particularly those closer to London, interested in his services. He admitted he was somewhat surprised that other English teams had not pursued the highly experienced Oxlade-Chamberlain more aggressively.
"I spoke to him this morning," O'Neill stated, reflecting on their conversation. "I believe he wants to join us, and it seems like he’s coming aboard. I would have thought he had multiple options available to him. There was even speculation that Arsenal, where he has been training, might bring him back due to possible injuries within their squad. So, I’m thrilled that he’s indicated he will be joining us. He’s set to complete a medical examination tomorrow, and if all goes well, I’m hopeful he’ll sign with us soon."
Since parting ways with Turkish Süper Lig club Beşiktaş by mutual consent last August, Oxlade-Chamberlain has remained a free agent. During his time in Istanbul, he made 46 appearances and scored five goals before deciding to leave. To stay fit, he has been training at Arsenal’s facilities in London Colney, and he bid farewell to the Gunners just before making his trip north to finalize his move to Celtic.
However, there’s a bit of a letdown for Celtic supporters eager to see Oxlade-Chamberlain in action during European competitions this season. Due to the timing of his transfer, he is unable to be registered for Celtic's Europa League squad, as the deadline was on February 5th. The team is set to face Stuttgart in the first leg of their Europa League play-off on February 19th, but they will have to do so without their new signing. Instead, O’Neill included Tomas Cvancara, Julian Araujo, and Junior Adamu in the European squad, meaning that recent signings Benjamin Arthur and Joel Mvuka also miss out along with Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Despite this setback, O’Neill views Oxlade-Chamberlain's addition as a significant boost as they aim to close the gap on league leaders Hearts.
Now, regarding the additional information shared by Fabrizio Romano, it turns out that Oxlade-Chamberlain's contract includes an option for an extension beyond this season. This could prove advantageous, especially given the anticipated interest in him as a free agent in the upcoming summer transfer window. With this clause in place, Celtic may find themselves in a favorable position to retain the player if they choose to activate it.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s wealth of experience adds tremendous value to Celtic’s ambitions, having previously won prestigious titles such as the Champions League and Premier League during his time at Liverpool. His recent training regimen with Arsenal means he has maintained his fitness levels, making him a valuable asset for the team.
The club managed to secure his services on a short-term basis without incurring any transfer fees, which is vital for ensuring depth in their squad amid a demanding schedule. Furthermore, his ability to adapt across various midfield roles provides O'Neill with tactical versatility, and his winning attitude could have a positive impact on team morale and cohesiveness.
In conclusion, while there may be some disappointment regarding his immediate participation in European matches, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s arrival is still a significant boost for Celtic as they strive for success this season.
