Birmingham City urged to 'stay well clear' of ex-Liverpool star as fresh plea sent | OneFootball

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still without a club ahead of the January transfer window

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City have made a number of eye-catching transfer moves since being financially backed by Tom Wagner and Knighthead Capital Management's millions.

However, heading into what is poised to be a crucial January transfer window for Chris Davies, as Blues find themselves as one of many sides vying for a spot in the Championship play-offs, they have been urged to steer clear of revisiting a potential free agent transfer for former England international playmaker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Much has been made of the varying fortunes which have surrounded the 14 permanent or temporary signings who moved to St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in what was the second high-profile summer recruitment drive since Davies' appointment back in June 2024.

The likes of Tommy Doyle, Demarai Gray and Patrick Roberts have all become the subject of praise in recent outings as the trio have showcased qualities that belong at the top end of the Championship or beyond, particularly after Davies made a handful of noticeable tweaks which sparked a run of 14 goals scored across four successive home wins between November 1st and December 1st.

On the flipside, Bluenoses are yet to see the best of Eiran Cashin, Jack Robinson, Lewis Koumas and £10m signing, Kyogo Furuhashi, who appears to be weighed down by the great sense of expectation and hype which surrounded his summer switch from Stade Rennais.

Football League World recently exclusively revealed that left-back remains the club's number one priority when it comes to incomings, although Football Insider have since claimed that the West Midlands side are also targeting reinforcements in midfield and within an already stacked striking department.

However, Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes Oxlade-Chamberlain doesn't align with the type of midfielder which Blues will be looking to sign in the coming weeks.

Birmingham City urged to steer clear of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deal amid previous transfer links

Indeed, it was reported during the latter weeks of the previous summer window that Oxlade-Chamberlain had emerged as a prime target for Davies and Blues, as they looked to add further Premier League quality to their squad to bolster their chances of immediately making a mark on the Championship.

The 32-year-old is best known for his work at top-flight giants Arsenal and Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League and Premier League in 2018/19 and 2019/20 with the latter, as well as earning 35 caps for the Three Lions over time.

After leaving Anfield, the former Southampton academy graduate made an intriguing move to Turkish Süper Lig side, Besiktas.

Yet, despite making 50 appearances and scoring five times for the Black Eagles between 2023 and August 2025, the midfielder would see his contract terminated after his former employers agreed a payoff of approximately £1.5m.

Since then, the 32-year-old has remained unattached, although his services can be courted by any club at any given time at present, such is his status on the free agent market.

He was spotted training with Arsenal in October in an attempt to keep fitness levels in check, and recently reiterated his desire to sign for a new club as soon as possible.

“I want to play,” he told The Athletic. “I’m not ready to call it quits by any means. I don’t feel old.

"I’ve still got that hunger to play and do well. I just want the opportunity to show what I can still do.

After months of uncertainty, though, Moore believes the Portsmouth native would not add value to Blues' midfield.

"Not for me. I would have potentially took him in the summer, just for the experienced head, but he's not played for a while now," Moore told FLW.

"Never mind match fitness, but match sharpness, he's going to have none.

"By the time he signs a contract and gets up to speed, the season will be over. I'd rather not waste the wages on someone of that age," he added.

"I'd be surprised to see what his next move is, to be fair," Moore claimed. "I don't see a decent move for him unless he goes to the MLS, but I don't see that happening.

"For me, it's one Blues should stay well clear of."

Birmingham City to target different style of midfielder in comparison to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Whilst there is no doubting the ability and experience that Oxlade-Chamberlain could bring to a Championship side when fully fit, his attributes are not what Blues are in desperate need of right now.

The likes of Doyle, Paik Seung-ho and Marc Leonard are all strong technicians and playmakers in their own right. But, it must be said that this has also proven detrimental to Blues' recent performances, particularly away from St. Andrew's.

As such, it perhaps isn't the greatest of surprises that, within Football Insider's aforementioned report, a powerful midfielder capable of breaking up play is on Davies' winter shopping list, with Blues often criticised for a lack of robustness and game management on the road, which has cost them crucial points against sides in and around them in the table.