Nottingham Forest want deadline day signings to bolster Sean Dyche's Reds squad before the transfer window closes
09:23, 02 Feb 2026
Celtic's Arne Engels
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Celtic's Arne Engels(Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest have had a second bid for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels rebuffed.
The Reds want to strengthen in the centre of the pitch before the winter transfer window closes. They have until 7pm this evening to complete their remaining business, with a striker and a full-back also on their shopping list.
Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi had been a midfield target for Forest but he now looks likely to remain in Italy. Brighton and Hove Albion’s Yasin Ayari has also been looked at.
On Sunday, it emerged a £14 million offer for Engels had been rejected by Celtic. An improved bid has now seemingly gone the same way.
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According to Sky Sports, the Reds put forward £17.3m for Engels but have been told by the Scottish outfit he is not for sale. Celtic are said to hope their response puts an end to the matter.
Manager Martin O’Neill addressed the speculation about the 22-year-old after his side’s 2-0 win over Falkirk on Sunday. The ex-Forest boss and Miracle Man made clear Engels would be going nowhere.
Asked about his former club’s offer, O’Neill said: “Honestly, I am telling you, I didn’t know anything about it. If they have done it, then they must have done it during the game.
“I would want it rebuffed, unless it was £100 million. And then I think the board would step in there. No, absolutely, I would rather keep him.”
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Forest have made two signings since the window opened on January 1. Striker Lorenzo Lucca recently joined on loan from Napoli and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega completed a switch from Manchester City to the City Ground on Sunday.
On the possibility of deadline day transfer deals, Reds head coach Sean Dyche said after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace: “Different areas of the pitch. Left-back is possibly an area we could look at and midfield to bolster it up. We have still got a lot of games to play.
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“There are varying things. We are being linked with loads of players so we’ll see which ones we can land. There’s two or three I know of, but it doesn’t mean we’re going to get them and it doesn’t mean we are going to sign all of them either.”
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