Martin O'Neill confirms Celtic interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as talks take place

The former England international has been without a club since mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Besiktas in August but has been training with former club Arsenal in recent months to build his fitness.

As the 32-year-old is a free agent he can sign for a club outside the transfer window.

Celtic made three loan signings on Monday’s transfer deadline day, securing striker Junior Adamu from SC Freiburg, winger Joel Mvuka from Lorient and defender Benjamin Arthur from Brentford.

O'Neill admitted he would like to add Oxlade-Chamerblain to his ranks and revealed talks have taken place.

"I do like him," the Celtic manager said during his Tuesday press conference ahead of the midweek trip to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

"He has been training at Arsenal for since his time in Turkey.

"I've spoken to him and he's got lots of options, some closer to London too. I'd be very interested in doing a deal but as I said, I'm surprised teams haven't already teed him up.

“I think he was very excited about what we were saying. He’s a big friend of Joe Hart and he speaks to him, so he knows all about the club.

"As he's been training with Arsenal for a consider length of time, while it's not match fitness, he is fit. But he's got loads of options."

Oxlade-Chamberlain lifted three FA Cups with Arsenal between 2013 and 2017 and won the Premier League title with Liverpool in season 2019-20.

He was also a member of the Reds squad that won the Champions League in 2018-19 but was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the final.

The last of his 35 England caps came in 2019. He joined Besiktas in August 2023 upon the expiry of his Liverpool contract after being hampered by injuries at Anfield. He scored five goals in 50 appearances for the Turkish side and won the Turkish Cup in 2024.

O’Neill also spoke of his delight that midfielder Arne Engels remains part of his squad after Celtic turned down a £25million offer from Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day.

The Parkhead club added three new loan signings before the window shut, namely 24-year-old Austria striker Junior Adamu from Bundesliga club Freiburg, 20-year-old Brentford centre-half Benjamin Arthur and 23-year-old Lorient winger Joel Mvuka.

The Celtic board, subject to ongoing and scathing criticism from a significant section of the fans about its leadership, rejected three bids for 22-year-old Belgium midfielder Engels with Forest reportedly willing to pay a guaranteed fee of £20million with £5million in add-ons.

O’Neill said: “For here that’s an awful lot of money. It’s an awful lot of money.

“Personally, I’m delighted that the board turned it down. It’s really tempting and it’s come at a very, very late stage, I must admit. So real great credit to them.

“He didn’t kick up a fuss about it either, even though it’s come in late. And of course, it’s tempting, it’s really big money for here.

“But they (board) didn’t take the bait, and so naturally I’m really pleased and we can look at things in the summer time. Obviously life changes but that was a major statement.”

Asked if the board spoke to him about the Engels offer, the Northern Irishman said: “No, absolutely not. Not at all. No, they turned it down before telling me.

“I was asked the question on Sunday (about the first bid after the Falkirk game). I genuinely didn’t know anything about it.

“But I think that the offer had come in from Nottingham Forest, Michael (Nicholson, chairman) was telling me, I think, it came in about 4.55pm.

“Honestly, I genuinely didn’t know anything about it, just in case you thought I was telling a lot of fibs.”