Martin O’Neill has clearly listened to what Mikel Arteta said about ‘role model’ after new Celtic target admission

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Celtic are interested in a move to sign free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was reportedly tracked by Sunderland and several other Premier League clubs earlier this month, but a move did not materialise.

The midfielder is currently training with Arsenal after leaving Besiktas at the end of his contract last August.

Celtic fans were unhappy with the links to Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the 32-year-old suffering from several injuries in recent years.

Football Insider has been told that Celtic are exploring a deal to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain, with no final decision taken yet.

Martin O’Neill confirms Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain talks

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Besiktas on a free transfer in 2023, after six years with Premier League giants Liverpool.

But the midfielder’s time in Turkey was marred by repetitive injuries, and it was decided that his contract would not be extended.

Since leaving, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with the likes of Leeds United and West Ham, but no serious offer has arrived.

In the meantime, the former England international has been training with his former club, Arsenal.

The 32-year-old left in slightly uncomfortable circumstances in 2017, but his former teammate, Mikel Arteta has opened the doors at London Colney.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has mainly trained with Arsenal’s Under-21s, but he has recently been seen with the first team and even reportedly appeared in a friendly against Man United in December.

Speaking on Tuesday, O’Neill confirmed that talks had been held with the midfielder. “I’ve spoken to him,” he admitted. “But I’m sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London.

“I’d be very interested in doing it. I’m surprised people haven’t taken him up. I think he was very excited about what we were saying.

“He knows all about the club, he’s a big friend of Joe Hart and Joe has spoken to him – not on our behalf. It’s something we’re interested in but if it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.”

Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal in the same summer that Arteta did in 2011, with the two sharing a dressing room until the latter’s retirement in 2016.

The Englishman made 198 appearances for the Gunners, but left for Liverpool after a disagreement over his position.

The 32-year-old has always seen himself as a box-to-box midfielder, but Arsene Wenger preferred to play him on the wing.

The £35m Liverpool paid to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017 remains the most the Gunners have ever received for a sale.

Speaking about the midfielder after he returned to train in November, Arteta said: “Top. Top character. One of the best characters I’ve met in football.

“If we can help him and give him the space for him to get up to speed and have the capacity to find a club. It’s a joy, the boys will learn from it.

“I had the privilege to play with him and if he is around he will be a really good role model to have around the team.”

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