Despite the fact that the January transfer window officially closed for business on Monday night, Celtic are set to welcome a new addition to their squad in the coming days.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool central midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is closing in on a move to Parkhead on an initial short-term contract, with a view to a 12-month extension in the summer.
The ex-England international has been a free agent since his contract with Turkish giants Besiktas expired at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and he looks to have finally found his new club.
It had been reported earlier this week that former AC Milan and Chelsea central midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko had been lined up as a possible alternative to Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Celtic may not have to explore a deal for the French free agent, though, as they are now closing in on the signing of the versatile English star.
Why Oxlade-Chamberlain is a risky signing for Celtic
It is easy to understand why Martin O’Neill wants to sign the 32-year-old midfielder. He is a vastly experienced operator at the very top level, having played 146 games for Liverpool and 198 matches for Arsenal.
This means that he could bring valuable experience to the group even if he is not playing regularly, but the risk comes from his potential lack of availability and performance level.
Unfortunately, the 35-cap England international has suffered with injury issues in recent seasons and it remains to be seen how ready he will be to hit the ground running, having not played at all since last term.
| Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent injury history | |
|---|---|
| Season | Games missed |
| 24/25 | 4 |
| 23/24 | 18 |
| 22/23 | 14 |
| 21/22 | 0 |
| 20/21 | 20 |
| 19/20 | 4 |
He also struggled for form in the 2024/25 Super Lig campaign. Oxlade-Chamberlain scored one goal, created no ‘big chances’, and did not register a single assist in 18 appearances, whilst making just 1.2 tackles and interceptions per game.
It is, therefore, a risky move to bring him to Parkhead because there is no guarantee that he can get over the injury and form issues that have troubled him in recent years.
However, the Champions League and Premier League winner will still bring great experience to the squad irrespective of how his own time on the pitch plays out, and he could play a part in helping O’Neill to get the best out of a player in his position.
The Celtic star O’Neill could hit the jackpot with
At this stage in his career, Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently only valued at £1.3m by Transfermarkt, which is understandable at the age of 32 and having been without a club since last summer, but O’Neill said that the midfielder is excited to make the move.
“Excited” – Martin O’Neill shares Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain update after Celtic talks
The free agent can still sign for Celtic after deadline day.
One of the things that the experienced star could help with is the development of fellow central midfielder Paulo Bernardo, who is at the other end of his career.
The Portugal U21 international is currently valued at £3.5m by Transfermarkt, up from £3m at the time of his permanent move in the summer of 2024, making him worth £2.2m more than Oxlade-Chamberlain, but he has failed to break into the team on a regular basis this season.
Bernardo, who was hailed as “tenacious” by Brendan Rodgers, has only started three matches in the Scottish Premiership this term, after starting 13 times in the 2024/25 campaign.
Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor, and Reo Hatate have all been preferred ahead of him at various points, but there is still an excellent player in there waiting to be unlocked.
Bernardo scored two goals and created five ‘big chances’ in those 13 league starts last season, and he has not been given many chances to replicate that form at the top end of the pitch in recent months.
You cannot expect a player to progress and develop with less time on the pitch to show his qualities, which why the former Benfica prospect has not been at his best when used in recent months.
|
Bernardo (Premiership) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
28 |
7 |
|
Starts |
13 |
3 |
|
Goals |
2 |
0 |
|
Key passes per game |
1.1 |
0.3 |
|
Big chances created |
5 |
0 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
58% |
75% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
54% |
33% |
Bernardo offered far more to the team in and out of possession in the middle of the park in the Premiership when he played regular minutes, as a starter or off the bench, in the 2024/25 campaign.
These statistics suggest that he needs more minutes on the pitch and more guidance to help him to perform and take his chances when they do come, which is where Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in.
The vastly experienced midfielder could take the 24-year-old Celtic gem under his wing to help him develop as a player, but it will also require O’Neill to provide him with opportunities to prove that he deserves more minutes.
Therefore, Celtic and O’Neill could hit the jackpot with Bernardo, despite him already being worth more than Oxlade-Chamberlain, by signing the free agent star to mentor the Portuguese starlet this season.
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