Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently without a club (Image: Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has declared that finances will not be an obstacle to Celtic securing former England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer. The Celtic manager disclosed that he’s made a daring attempt to lure the former Liverpool and Arsenal player to Glasgow, with the 32-year-old now considering his options. Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently a free agent after parting ways with Besiktas last summer and has been training with Arsenal in recent months.
Arsenal are also contemplating offering the midfielder a short-term contract following injuries to crucial players in their midfield. However, Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t dismissed the possibility of joining Celtic’s Premiership campaign – and money won’t be an issue for the Parkhead side. O’Neill stated: “No it’s not the money, it’s not for the money. I have spoken to him. Obviously I had a look at what he was doing in Turkey and it was fine.
“He was playing in a more withdrawn role, I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was out there and asked if he would help in that sort of position. You don’t lose ability. You might lose a bit of hunger, but he was definitely up for it. He was up for a challenge.
“At 32 years of age he’s still got it. He will have other options. He is training at Arsenal and Arsenal have had a few injuries so they might even take him on. But he knew about the club, he had spoken to Joe Hart, that was just by chance or a coincidence.
“I’m not saying he spoke to Joe Hart two days ago, it might have been months ago. But it was fine. He lives down in London. I really left it. I didn’t progress any further, yet. It’s only 24, 36 hours ago.”
O’Neill expressed satisfaction with the transfer window, having welcomed striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka and centre back Benjamin Arthur on deadline day, following earlier signings Tomas Cvancara and Julian Araujo.
However, securing a high-profile player like Oxlade-Chamberlain could provide Celtic with the experience and skill needed to push for victory. O’Neill pondered: “Would he be a Craig Bellamy of years ago? Bellamy’s still talked about now.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is training with his old club Arsenal at the moment (Image: Getty)
“People still sent messages about ‘why did he not sign permanently?’ Well, because he didn’t want to come permanently!”
The manager continued: “If you can get a player of that sort of calibre that would be great. It would be really great. But I can understand that there are lots of other things around there. Arsenal too. Listen, if we were even on a close list that would be fine.
“If it doesn’t materialise we have good players in here at this minute. But I’d love to have him at the end of the day. I think in time getting into match day mode, I don’t think that would be a major problem.”
O’Neill is contemplating giving the new Bhoys a run-out against Aberdeen and confessed his delight at strengthening his squad. He remarked: “I think there’s a bit of competition for places now. I genuinely believe that. And I think that can only be a good thing.
“Well, I think the first thing is that if you’re talking about differentiating between quality and numbers, we need people in because we can pick up injuries and suspensions after the transfer window, which was last night, that’s it over.
“So whatever squad you have, that’s it, unless you pick somebody else up who’s been out of contract. So from that viewpoint, it’s fine, it’s nice to get a few people in, in different positions. And what do I think they can add? I think they can help.
“I think they can help in the manner in which I think that the two new arrivals who have played some games for us have done really fine. I’m just happy with them, and if the rest of them make that sort of contribution, then I’ll be delighted.”
Celtic’s pursuit of Mvuka nearly fell through after complications emerged during the medical examination, leading to the £3m deal from Lorient being restructured as a loan arrangement with an option for a permanent transfer next summer.
O’Neill commented: “Yeah, I’m not going into any great detail with him, I don’t think that that’s right, but it has ended like that there. He’s fine, everyone’s happy with the way that it has materialised. And we’ll see.
“If you could make any sort of judgement, on somebody that you’ve spoken to for a couple of hours, he’s a really great lad, genuinely. And if his football matches his character, we’re in business.”