Celtic interested in signing 35-cap England international who is a free agent

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could soon take his talents to Scotland.

According to Sky Sports, Celtic are interested in signing the 35-cap England international.

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In Celtic’s favour is the fact Oxlade-Chamberlain is a free agent, meaning they can sign him whenever they please.

However, should Celtic want Oxlade-Chamberlain to help out with their Europa League campaign, they must complete the deal sooner than later.

UEFA regulations state clubs competing in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League must submit their squad lists for the knockout stage by midnight on Thursday.

Teams in the three European club competitions are allowed to make a maximum of three changes to the squads they submitted for the league phase.

Celtic face German outfit Stuttagrt in their Europa League play-off match for a spot in the last 16, with the first leg on February 19 and the second leg on February 26.

How has ‘The Ox’ kept fit after his Besiktas exit?

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been without a club since he left Besiktas in August.

However, the 32-year-old has kept up his fitness by training with Arsenal, a club he was at for six years.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been training with the Gunners since November, even featured for Arsenal’s Under-21s in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United last December.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is one figure evidently pleased with how Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training as he refused to rule out a move for his former teammate following news of Mikel Merino’s broken foot.

When asked about the prospect of signing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta replied: “We explore every option.”

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But if Arsenal choose not to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain, Celtic could be ready to make a play.

Celtic’s busy January

The Hoops have been relatively active in January, signing Junior Adamu, Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara from Freiburg, Bournemouth and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively.

All three have joined on loans until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Outside of the transfer window, the campaign has been a rather turbulent one for the Hoops.

Brendan Rodgers began the season in charge but resigned in October, forcing revered Celtic boss Martin O’Neill to be thrust into the manager’s hot seat until they lined up a replacement.

But Wilfried Nancy, Rodgers’ permanent successor, proved to be a managerial disaster and was axed just over one month into the role.

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Nancy’s sacking prompted O’Neill to return for his second caretaker stint this term, with the Northern Irishman now in charge for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.

Across O’Neill’s two caretaker spells, he has overseen 12 wins, two draws and one defeat.

Celtic sit second in the Scottish Premiership with 48 points, six behind league-leaders Hearts.