Martin O’Neill confirms bombshell Celtic talks with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Celtic interim boss Martin O’Neill has confirmed that he is “very interested” in signing former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

On Deadline Day, news broke that Celtic were eyeing a potential deal for the 32-year-old, who is currently keeping himself fit at his former club Arsenal following his summer departure from Besiktas.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was keen to return to England after his Turkish sojourn, but the right project has yet to present itself for the Premier League and Champions League winner.

It has been posited that he could be an emergency signing for Arsenal, who will be without Mikel Merino for a considerable period of time. Mikel Arteta certainly did not rule out that possibility on Monday.

However, Celtic also appear to be a genuine option for the free agent. Speaking ahead of the Hoops’ clash with Aberdeen, interim manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that he would be “very interested” in signing Oxlade-Chamberlain and that talks have been held.

O’Neill confirms Oxlade-Chamberlain interest

“I do, I genuinely do [like him],” O’Neill confessed when quizzed about the former England star. “He’s trained at Arsenal for some time since his time in Turkey. I spoke to him, but I’m sure he will have lots of options, maybe closer to London as well. He was very affable, I must admit.

“I would be very interested in doing it, but as I said to you, I’m surprised that people haven’t taken him up closer to the area. He’s telling me that he’s training with Arsenal for quite some considerable time, so in terms of fitness, it’s not match fitness, but it’s fine.

“We’ll see, he’s got loads of options,” O’Neill added. “I think he was very excited about what we were saying. Listen, he knows about the football club. He’s a big friend of Joe Hart.

“Joe’s spoken to him, not on our behalf, that was just a conversation he had with Joe. Listen, it’s fine. It’s something that would be interesting, but if it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.”

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