RB Leipzig are apparently exploring a deal to sign Arne Engels.
That claim emerged from Germany early on Monday evening.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany confirmed the news with Engels lined up as an alternative if RB are unable to sign Rocco Reitz of Borussia Monchengladbach.
RB SHOW CELTIC HOW TO OPERATE
The tweet below details how competent, well run clubs operate. RB are looking a window or two ahead, weighing up options and testing for availability.
There is interest in Engels but not as first choice in that position. However there is the prospect that Celtic will do business this month.
Whatever the feelings on Engels most fans wouldn’t expect Celtic to be welcoming interest in a regular first team starter.
Over the last 18 months Celtic have sold Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah.
None of them have been properly replaced, the quality in the Celtic squad has been stretched thinner and thinner.
???? EXCL | RB Leipzig are also exploring a deal for Arne #Engels.
… for example, if Rocco Reitz does not arrive in the summer.
A winter departure for Engels is also possible. Plenty of enquiries. The 22 y/o top midfielder is under contract with Celtic until 2028.… pic.twitter.com/YiuwioTF2N
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 19, 2026
Engels was signed by Celtic at the end of the summer 2024 transfer window. Paraded as major investment alongside Auston Trusty and Luke McCowan.
Without the benefit of pre-season training the young Belgian was pitched straight into a Champions League campaign and held his own.
Engels started 9 out of Celtic’s 10 Champions League fixtures but has been caught up in the malaise that was 2025.
If an offer comes in from RB Leipzig it will present the Celtic board with a massive dilemma.
Do they show their ambition by turning down an offer for the youngest first team player. Or do they cut and run by banking an offer and creating another position that needs filled.
On Wednesday Celtic fly out to Bologna with O’Neill hosting a media conference to preview the Europa League match.
Transfer speculation is likely to dominate the conference, two weeks after returning to Celtic O’Neill is still waiting on his first signing being delivered.
We wouldn’t even know if he had left,but still whatever fee comes in the board will divvy it up amongst themselves as an extra bonus for all their good work that they do regarding a well run club.
If there’s substance to it and they offer 8 million plus then Engels is toast and they will lobby that the player wanted away then spend 4 million of that on punts.
This board NEVER buy before a player is sold.
Celtic headed for Italy by coach during the night.Nicholson lowballed the airline with his offer for flight tickets and they told him to fuck off but at least he got a campsite quite near Bologna.
What if RB sign Engels and loan him to another one of the RB sponsored teams, Leeds for example. That would be rubbing it in. Our board have taken incompetence to new levels. I’ve advocated for boycotts for months but it’s past that now, I’m at the pitch forks and flaming torches stage now.
Your right there wee jock, boycotts are required,just before the pitch forks and torches.
It is perfectly believable: the Board sells a first team player – and without a replacement lined up?
Yet again.
Grab the money now for the 22 year old, and the Board can then salivate over the potential value of his future sell-on %.
Mibbees more significantly, the same resources used to sell a player are needed for buying players: e.g. MN, DD + others.
The whole focus – and resources – should be on buying players (or loans) first and foremost.
The whole business culture at the club continues to be just weird. 🙁
Sell-tic FC !
Certainly a player in there, not seen it very often mind you, technically proficient but lacks hunger, drive , application and just sheer effort. Never seen him dripping and done in after a game.
Get a replacement in first is a novel concept !!