Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest are keen to sign Celtic star Arne Engels before the transfer window slams shut.
The Reds allowed Douglas Luiz to leave earlier in the transfer window, and that has left Sean Dyche’s squad short of midfield options.
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Engels has been with Celtic since 2024, when he checked in from Augsburg, and he’s made 35 goal contributions from his 89 appearances.
After Forest failed with a bid for Engels earlier on Transfer Deadline Day, it would appear that the club are upping the ante in the final stages of the window.
Arne Engels in action for Celtic
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest make third bid to Celtic for Arne Engels
According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Forest have bid for a third time for Engels, offering a deal worth up to £25 million.
Martin O’Neill claimed in his press conference on Sunday that he would only want Celtic to sell if an offer of £100 million was made by Forest.
Clearly, he values the Belgian in high esteem and doesn’t want to lose one of his star midfielders with just hours remaining of the transfer window.
Engels is likely to want a move to the Premier League and having already played four times for Belgium, he might fancy playing for his country at the World Cup.
The new bid from Forest will see an initial £20 million paid to Celtic, with an additional £5 million paid in performance-related add-ons.
Forest have likely made last play for Engels
It’s hard to imagine Forest going back to the table if this deal isn’t accepted by the Hoops and other options might come to the fore if this isn’t accepted.
Celtic need to be careful after O’Neill’s comments yesterday, and selling him now could derail their title bid with Rangers and Hearts both in the mix.
Engels is a bit of a specialist when it comes to set-pieces, and that would definitely be ideal for Forest since Luiz had departed the football club.
Dyche will be keen to get a deal for the midfielder over the line and now the Reds will wait for an answer from Celtic for the midfielder.