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Although the January transfer window officially closed on Monday night, celtics In the coming days, they will welcome new members to the team.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to move to Parkhead on a short-term deal, with a 12-month extension expected in the summer.
The former England international, whose contract with Turkish giants Besiktas will become a free agent at the end of the 2024/25 season, looks to have finally found his new club.
has been reported Earlier this week, former AC Milan and Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko was named as a possible replacement for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
However, the Celtics may not have to seek a trade for the French free agent as they are now on the verge of signing the versatile British star.
Why Chamberlain is a dangerous signing for Celtics
It’s easy to understand why Martin O’Neill Want to sign the 32-year-old midfielder. He is an experienced top player, having played 146 games for Liverpool and 198 games for Arsenal.
This means that even if he doesn’t play regularly, he can bring valuable experience to the team, but the risk comes from his potential lack of availability and performance levels.
Unfortunately, the 35-cap England international has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and has not played since last season. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to play again.
| Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent injury history | |
|---|---|
| season | miss game |
| 24/25 | 4 |
| 23/24 | 18 |
| 22/23 | 14 |
| 21/22 | 0 |
| 20/21 | 20 |
| 19/20 | 4 |
He also performed poorly in the 2024/25 Super League season. Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored one goal in 18 games, not creating any “big chances”, not assisting once, and averaging just 1.2 tackles and interceptions per game.
Therefore, bringing him to Parkhead is a risky move as there is no guarantee he will be able to overcome the injury and form issues that have plagued him in recent years.
However, regardless of his performance on the pitch, the Champions League and Premier League winner will still bring a wealth of experience to the team who can help O’Neill get the best out of a player in his position.
Celtics star O’Neal may hit the jackpot
At this stage of his career, Oxlade-Chamberlain is valued at just £1.3m, which is understandable given that he is 32 and has not been with the club since last summer, but O’Neill says the midfielder is happy to move on.
One of the things the veteran star can help with is the development of midfielder Paul Bernardo, who is at the other end of his career.
The Portugal U21 international is currently valued at £3.5 million in the transfer market, which is higher than the £3 million he would be worth on a permanent transfer in the summer of 2024, making him worth £2.2 million more than Chamberlain, but he has failed to enter the team’s regular lineup this season.
Bernardo, he is Known as “tenacious” Brendan Rodgers started only three games scottish premier league This season, following 13 starts in 2024/25.
Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate were all favored over him at various points, but there’s still a quality player waiting to be unlocked.
Bernardo scored two goals and created five “great chances” in 13 league starts last season, but he hasn’t been given many opportunities to replicate that form at the top of the pitch in recent months.
You can’t expect a player to progress and develop with less playing time to show what he’s capable of, which is why the former Benfica starlet hasn’t been at his best when used in recent months.
|
Bernardo (Premier League) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
Number of appearances |
28 |
7 |
|
start |
13 |
3 |
|
Target |
2 |
0 |
|
Key passes in every game |
1.1 |
0.3 |
|
created huge opportunities |
5 |
0 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
58% |
75% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
54% |
33% |
In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Bernardo, whether as a starter or as a substitute, has provided the team with more help when controlling and controlling the ball in the midfield.
These statistics suggest that he needs more playing time and more guidance to help him perform well and take advantage of opportunities when they arise, which is where Chamberlain comes in.
The veteran midfielder could take the 24-year-old Celtic gem under his wing to help him develop as a player, but that would also require O’Neill to give him the chance to prove he deserves more playing time.
Therefore, the Celtics and O’Neal could hit the jackpot by signing the free-agent star to guide this season’s Portuguese rising stars, even though Bernardo is already worth more than Chamberlain.
