Former Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is attracting interest from Celtic as transfer deadline day nears its conclusion. Oxlade-Chamberlain has been without a club since leaving Besiktas in August last year, having had his contract with the Turkish club terminated following a mutual agreement.
The 32-year-old had left Liverpool in the summer of 2023 as a free agent, where he signed a three-year contract to join Besiktas. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield, made 50 appearances during his time with the Super Lig club following his Merseyside exit.
Having been without a club for more than five months, Oxlade-Chamberlain recently linked up with the Arsenal squad at their training base in London Colney to build up his fitness ahead of a potential move.
Now, a fresh update has emerged about Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future on transfer deadline day. It has been reported by Sky Sports that Celtic have an interest in signing the former Liverpool star, who remains a free agent.
The transfer deadline for clubs in Scotland is 11pm on Monday, but this does not apply to a potential deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain due to the versatile midfielder being without a club, and he is also available on a free transfer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training at Arsenal’s base for the last few months, and the Gunners’ recent injury woes have prompted speculation of a move for a new midfielder.
Mikel Merino is expected to be on the sidelines for a lengthy spell after suffering a fractured foot, which led to Arsenal being heavily linked with signing a new midfielder before Monday’s 7pm deadline for Premier League clubs.
Given that Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training at Arsenal’s base the last couple of months, Arteta was even asked about the chances of the Gunners re-signing their former star.
“We explore every option,” Arteta said. The manager’s response came after the Arsenal boss provided an insight into the club’s plans to sign a new midfielder following the injury to Merino.
“We are on it,” Arteta said. “It’s just the fact you want to make the right call with the right player because we really want to improve the team if we can. If not, we don’t do it.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain made 198 appearances for Arsenal during a six-year spell in North London, but has not played a competitive match since May last year in a cameo performance for Besiktas against Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Super Lig.