Celtic midfielder Arne Engels
3rd May 2026; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic
Nottingham Forest are reportedly preparing a major move for Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall after failing to sign Arne Engels from Celtic in January.
SunSport, citing BBC Sport, reports that the Premier League side are considering an offer worth around £45 million for the 20-year-old after an earlier proposal of £38 million was rejected.
The development is relevant to Celtic because Forest made several attempts to sign Engels during the final stages of the January transfer window.
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels
23rd May 2026; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Cup Final Football, Celtic versus Dunfermline; Celtic interim coach Mark Fotheringham and Arne Engels of Celtic
Celtic rejected those approaches, with the largest package reported at the time to be worth up to £25 million.
There is currently no suggestion that Forest have returned with another formal offer for the Belgian this summer.
Their interest in Bergvall could mean they have turned their attention elsewhere, but it is not yet clear whether the Tottenham player is viewed as an alternative to Engels or part of a broader midfield recruitment plan.
SunSport also reports that Forest are set to sign Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager on a free transfer. That deal, alongside their pursuit of Bergvall, shows they are actively attempting to strengthen in the middle of the park.
Martin O’Neill has already admitted that further interest in Engels would not surprise him.
“I would imagine so, yeah,” the Celtic manager said when asked whether more clubs could make a move. “At this minute I don’t think anything has happened.”
O’Neill also explained why Celtic refused to entertain Forest’s January attempts.
“All those bids Nottingham Forest made came in on the 11th hour so that was just a non-goer for us at that particular stage,” he said.
“Then he got injured just after that. So if some things can happen a bit earlier then maybe there’s some resignation on my part there too.”
Those comments suggest timing would be a major factor should another substantial bid arrive.
Celtic were never likely to approve a record-breaking sale in the closing hours of the winter window without a realistic opportunity to replace Engels. An earlier approach this summer would at least give the club time to assess the offer and identify alternatives.
3rd May 2026; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic challenges Miguel Chaiwa of Hibernian
Engels remains under contract for another two years after joining from Augsburg for a club-record £11 million in 2024.
Forest’s reported pursuit of Bergvall may reduce the chances of them returning for the Celtic midfielder, but it does not provide a definitive answer.
Until another proposal arrives, Engels remains part of O’Neill’s plans, with the latest Forest development concerning a different player rather than a fresh move for the Celtic star.
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