Nottingham Forest failed in their transfer window attempts to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels
09:32, 04 Feb 2026
Celtic's Arne Engels was the subject of transfer interest from Nottingham Forest before the window closed
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Celtic's Arne Engels was the subject of transfer interest from Nottingham Forest before the window closed(Image: PA)
It was business as usual for midfielder Arne Engels after being the subject of three failed bids from Nottingham Forest before the transfer window closed.
For Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, the Scottish giants rebuffing his former club in their attempts to prise away the 22-year-old was a big statement of intent. But even more pleasing for the European Cup winner was Engels’ response to the late interest from the Reds.
Forest first tried their luck with offers of £14 million and £17m, then raised a few eyebrows by putting forward a package worth up to £25m. Some reports have suggested Engels was “unhappy” at the bids being knocked back, but O’Neill is adamant the player has taken everything in his stride.
“Arne seemed bright and breezy this morning,” he told the Daily Record. “And I probably didn’t really want to talk to him! He didn’t kick up a fuss about it either, even though it came in late.
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“I think that his agent was happy enough with the situation. He said that this is it, I think Arne is happy here, he wants to see what the season will bring at the end.
“Of course it’s tempting, it’s really big money for here. But they didn’t take their bait. So naturally, I’m really pleased. And we can re-look at things in the summertime.”
O’Neill has indicated the Reds’ submitted one offer prior to Monday and two on deadline day itself. He had joked only £100m might have tempted the club to sell but is pleased Engels is set to stay put.
“We all talk about statements from football clubs and half the time I don’t believe it,” he added. “But I do think it is, because that was big. To turn down that at this stage in January is really, really big.
“The consequences of that are really big. I never asked how they were making it up but let’s say it was £20m with £5m added-on and that was attainable, you’re talking about £25m and that is big.
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“You know, one bid was coming in after another. And they joke about the £100m, but if it had been kept going... The board was keeping me informed of it.
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“Honestly, they never came to me and said, ‘you know, what’s your thought on it?’. I just assumed that they would know what my thoughts were. One, it’s difficult to turn down, and two, the player would at least double or triple his wages that he gets here – and they are in the same (Europa League) competition as us.”
Forest had hoped to strengthen their midfield ranks before Monday’s 7pm cut-off but in the end brought in only left-back Luca Netz in the final hours of the window. Signed from Borussia Monchengladbach, the defender became the Reds’ third addition of the window after striker Lorenzo Lucca and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega had already put pen to paper.
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