Celtic have now submitted an offer to sign another midfield star following the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
O’Neill “delighted” by Oxlade-Chamberlain move
There’s no doubt that the Bhoys have got plenty of work to do after the January transfer window, but the arrival of Oxlade-Chamberlain should certainly help Martin O’Neill‘s side.
The veteran manager couldn’t hide his delight when revealing the news that the former Liverpool midfielder was set to arrive for a medical in Scotland, which he has now passed.
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He told reporters: “I would have assumed he’s gotten a number of options. I think there was even talk about Arsenal – where he is training – might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries, so I’m delighted that he’s going to come, so he says.
“So I think he’s doing a medical (on Saturday) and all being well, I’m hoping that he signs on. This boy is here to try and play and try and get into the team and try and get as fit as possible as quickly as possible. I think it would be nice to have him here with the squad just for at least these couple of months.”
There will be question marks about his fitness, especially around his injury history, but at his best Oxlade-Chamberlain will be an excellent addition at Celtic Park.
His arrival as a free agent could yet be the sign of things to come too, with reports now claiming that the Hoops have made an offer to sign another bargain player.
Celtic launch offer to sign Xaver Schlager
According to reports in Germany, as relayed by Daily Record, Celtic have now launched an offer to sign Xaver Schlager from RB Leipzig. The German club have confirmed that the midfielder will be leaving as a free agent at the end of the season and it’s the Scottish giants who are looking to take full advantage.
“We dedicated a lot of time and effort over the course of several meetings to trying to persuade Xaver to extend his contract with us. However, of course we accept and respect his decision to pursue a new challenge, especially as the whole process was characterised by open and honest discussions.” (RB Leipzig)
As a free agent, the 28-year-old could turn into one of the bargains of the season if Celtic land his signature. The Austrian often found himself at the centre of praise in Germany, including from Leipzig’s former sporting director Christopher Vivell.
He told reporters when he first signed Schlager: “Xaver Schlager is a tough-tackling and hard-running central midfielder, who not only knows our style of play, but has been playing in this way for years now. Xaver will be a great addition to us both on and off the pitch.”