Celtic are closing in on the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after reaching a verbal agreement with the midfielder on a short-term contract, according to Anthony Joseph.
The 32-year-old is currently in Glasgow and is expected to undergo a medical ahead of completing a six-month deal, with an option to extend until the end of the season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in August and has spent recent weeks training with Arsenal while assessing his next move.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has held direct talks with the former England International and has made clear that both sides are aligned on the opportunity. O’Neill believes Oxlade-Chamberlain is motivated by the chance to return to competitive football quickly and views the move as a chance to rebuild momentum after a difficult period.
Chamberlain last featured in May, making a short substitute appearance for Besiktas before suffering a devastating knee injury.
Despite those setbacks, he still recorded 18 League appearances during his final season in Turkey and remained largely available when fit, which Celtic’s recruitment team has admired greatly.
The midfielder is best remembered for his time at Liverpool, where he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. He joined Arsenal in 2017 and made 146 appearances for the club, but his progress was repeatedly disrupted by serious injuries.
Celtic sees the deal as a low-risk recruitment opportunity, with Oxlade-Chamberlain being a player of significant experience at the highest level. For Chamberlain, it also presents him a chance back into regular football in a competitive environment and the chance to re-establish himself at club level.
