Arne Engels could be leaving Celtic in the next 48 hours, according to a report.
The 22-year-old midfielder has established himself as a nailed-on starter in Martin O’Neill’s side, both domestically and in Europe.
RB Leipzig have reportedly shortlisted Engels, but the German heavyweights look to be prioritising a summer move for Rocco Reitzz instead.
But they aren’t the only team eyeing up the Celtic man. Engels is also attracting attention from the Premier League.
Free-spending Nottingham Forest are in the hunt.
Can Celtic afford to sell Arne Engels?
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels.
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Nottingham Forest ‘exploring’ deal to sign Arne Engels from Celtic
According to Sky Germany chief Florian Plettenberg, Forest are ‘exploring’ a deal to sign Engels ahead of the transfer deadline on Monday.
Plettenberg says that a winter departure is ‘possible’ for Engels under the right conditions.
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Arne Engels arrives at Fir Park for Motherwell vs Celtic
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Engels may not be the favourite of every Celtic fan, but the sale of a starting player at the very end of the window would not get a positive reaction among the Hoops support.
After a summer transfer window which drew furious fan reactions and led to the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, it would be a self-destructive action by an under-pressure board.
Engels is Celtic’s record signing, moving to Glasgow from German side Augsburg for £11 million a year and a half ago.
A feature of the 22-year-old’s game this season has been his set-piece delivery, something which could be piquing the interest of Sean Dyche at Forest.
Engels is also a Belgian international, but hasn’t been called up by the Red Devils in over a year. A move down south would certainly aid his hopes of a place in their World Cup squad.
Whether it would aid Celtic’s title charge under O’Neill is… less certain, with the Hoops’ squad under-equipped as it is.
What state is Celtic’s midfield in? Who needs to stay and who needs to go?
Reo Hatate celebrates his goal with Callum McGregor
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
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Darren O’Dea on Arne Engels
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show on Thursday, ex-Celtic Player Pathways Manager Darren O’Dea said that he has ‘no doubt’ that Engels will go up levels.
He said: “I think he would say, rightfully so, he has been bought for a huge fee. He is coming with a massive tag on him. That he is coming to be a Celtic starter. You have to accept that pressure.
“But in reality, was he 21 when he came in? He is adapting to a new country. I think you are seeing a better player this year. I have no doubt that he is going to become better, better and better.
“But at Celtic, the reality is, if you come in for that price tag, you have to come in and produce straight away. Last season, he was in between. I think this year, he had a period where he was doing well.
“I think his niche is going to be set-plays. He can improve on that in terms of scoring goals from free-kicks. His set-plays can be excellent.
“But he is a very, very young guy, who has taken big expectations, and he is having to handle that.”
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