Birmingham City lead Leeds United in Oxlade-Chamberlain race but Blues sent double warning | OneFootball

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently a free agent following his exit from Besiktas

Birmingham City are currently the leading contenders to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent amid competition from Leeds United.

According to Football Insider, the Blues are leading the chase to sign the 32-year-old after his exit from Besiktas.

The former Liverpool player had his contract terminated earlier this summer, leaving him as a free agent.

Clubs are able to still register new players who are without a club, despite the transfer window closing earlier this week.

Birmingham lead Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pursuit

It has been reported that a number of clubs in England are considering an approach for Oxlade-Chamberlain following his exit from Besiktas.

The midfielder joined the Turkish giants in 2023, but had fallen out of favour and was let go after being unable to secure an exit through the transfer market.

It is believed that Birmingham are the leading candidates to win the race to his signature, but they face competition from Leeds.

The Blues have added a number of players to their first team squad over the summer, with Chris Davies looking to guide the club to back-to-back promotions.

It’s understood there are teams in both of England’s top two divisions interested in the 32-year-old, as well as clubs in Europe.

However, it remains to be seen just yet who will win the race to his signature, with no agreements yet reached with the player.

Birmingham City warned against Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signing

When asked about the potential signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain back in August, FLW's Birmingham fan pundit Jason Moore warned the club against the signing, highlighting his injury record and a suspicion over his commitment to the project at St. Andrew's.

"Don't get me wrong, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a cracking player, really, really good player - I just worry about how fit he is and how injury-prone he's been over the last couple of seasons, and whether he's still hungry to play football or would he come in wanting to get us up," Moore told FLW.

"I can see this being a story made of nothing, but if the club look at him and go 'that's an option to get us up', then you know what, I'll welcome it and back him like everyone else.

"But for me personally, on the face of it, I think I'd say no."

Birmingham completed 14 signings this summer, but the addition of Oxlade-Chamberlain could take that number up to 15 if they can strike an agreement ahead of the likes of Leeds.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signing isn’t necessary for Birmingham

Oxlade-Chamberlain has experience playing at the highest level of the game, which could be a useful asset to have in the Birmingham dressing room.

But his form in the last few years hasn’t been spectacular, and fitness issues have always been a problem with the midfielder.

His wage demands could also be quite high, and at 32 it wouldn’t be worth bringing in someone to become a top earner when his impact on the team could be quite minimal.

If Birmingham do agree a deal with Oxlade-Chamberlain, then it could work out, but they should avoid any kind of long-term contract.