Birmingham City might be on the verge of pulling off a transfer that would shock many football fans.
The Championship club is reportedly targeting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the 32-year-old former England international currently playing for Turkish side Besiktas.
According to reports from the Mirror, Besiktas could be open to letting Oxlade-Chamberlain leave if the right offer comes along.
Meanwhile, the midfielder himself is said to be receptive to a return to English football, with Premier League clubs also keeping tabs on his situation.
Back in Training and Ready to Play
Despite the challenges of moving abroad, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been keeping himself in top condition.
He has returned to full training in Turkey and looks ready to hit the ground running.
Birmingham City’s owners are confident that they can leverage the club’s growing appeal to lure the experienced midfielder.
The club has ambitious backers, including chairman Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady, who holds a minority stake.
Their involvement is already helping raise Birmingham’s profile, and landing a player of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s caliber would send a strong message about the club’s intentions in the Championship.
Family Ties Could Influence the Move
A return to England would also bring personal benefits for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
He could reunite with his fiancée, Perrie Edwards, the former Little Mix singer, and their three-year-old son.
Edwards has previously opened up about the challenges of their long-distance relationship.
Speaking to ITV in 2024, she revealed that the couple has never lived together during their nine-year relationship.
“When he was playing for Liverpool, it was easy to do the back and forth, but Turkey is a little bit further and he doesn’t get a lot of time off,” she said.
Balancing her solo music career with family life has been tough, but she emphasized that they make it work “for the ones we love.”
A Career Full of Achievements
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career has been filled with memorable moments.
Starting at Southampton, he moved to Arsenal in 2011, where he made 198 appearances, scored 20 goals, and lifted three FA Cups.
In 2017, he joined Liverpool, achieving an impressive haul of trophies including the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
During his time at Anfield, he scored 18 goals in 146 appearances.
He also earned 35 caps for England between 2012 and 2019, scoring seven goals along the way.
Though he was highly rated from a young age, injuries have often interrupted his career.
Birmingham’s Big Ambition
For Birmingham City, bringing in a high-profile player like Oxlade-Chamberlain could be a game-changer.
Not only would it add experience and quality to the squad, but it would also highlight the club’s determination to climb back into the top flight after a promising start in the Championship following last season’s promotion from League One.
With both personal and professional incentives aligning, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s potential return to England could be one of the most intriguing transfers of the season.
