Nottingham Forest are prepared to make an offer of over £30m for an "outstanding" player in the summer, with Sean Dyche now desperate to get a deal done.
Forest looking at new signings amid poor campaign
Forest surpassed all expectations by qualifying for the Europa League last season, but they have failed to kick on, currently sitting just two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, with West Ham United picking up a point against Manchester United on Tuesday night.
After the FA Cup exit at the hands of Wrexham last month, Dyche made it clear he isn't entirely happy with some of his current players, saying: "It's unacceptable to me, but I said you have to look in the mirror because that's unacceptable to the badge as well.
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"They all knock on the door and say, 'why aren't I playing?'. Well the evidence is quite honestly there for some, not for all."
As such, big changes may be needed during the summer transfer window, regardless of what division the Tricky Trees find themselves in, and they have now set their sights on a midfielder, following a new update on Morgan Gibbs-White's future.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before the match Related
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He could replace Morgan Rogers...
According to a report from SportsBoom, Nottingham Forest are now prepared to offer over £30m for Celtic star Arne Engels, with Dyche personally desperate to bring the midfielder to the City Ground.
Forest made three bids for Engels during the January transfer window, which were all knocked back, but they could be set to return with a new and improved offer at the end of the season, such is their level of interest.
Dyche is pushing hard to sign the Belgian, who has now been identified as the Englishman's priority target, with the manager looking to rebuild his midfield in the summer, amid the doubts surrounding Gibbs-White's future.
"Outstanding" Engels could excel at Forest
Brendan Rodgers is a keen admirer of the 22-year-old, with the former Celtic boss waxing lyrical about his ability from dead-ball situations earlier this season, saying: "Arne I thought was outstanding in the game.
"Coming back in, he gave us that energy and that fight. And his set-piece quality really is world class."
Although he has often featured in a deeper role, the four-time Belgium international has regularly displayed his ability on the front foot this season, chipping in with five goals and seven assists in 37 matches for Celtic, while also impressing in the Champions League in the past.
Engels is still young, and has plenty of time to develop even further, but his performances in Scotland this season suggest he could be ready for a move to Nottingham Forest, and a £30m fee seems reasonable.