Arne Engels is being linked with a Deadline Day move to Nottingham Forrest.
The news comes from Florian Plettenberg who led the way with Celtic’s interest in Tomas Cvancara.
On that occasion the Sky Sports Germany reporter was very definite that talks were at an advanced stage to sign the Borussia Monchengladbach striker on loan.
ENGELS OMINOUS TONE
With Engels the phrase used is ‘exploring a deal’ which is more open ended and open to interpretation.
?? EXCL | Forest are exploring a deal to sign Arne #Engels ahead of Deadline Day.
As revealed, a winter departure for Engels is possible under the right conditions. The 22 y/o top midfielder is under contract with #CelticFC until 2028. #NFFC @SkySportDE ?? pic.twitter.com/ijleHTwIta
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 31, 2026
While Celtic fans look out for signings there is a very real prospect of the club making a major sale.
CELTIC THE SELLING CLUB
A year ago Kyogo Furuhashi was sold to Rennes, in the summer Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah were on the move. In the summer of 2024 Brighton paid £28m for Matt O’Riley.
Time wise Engels was a replacement for O’Riley, both are midfielders but beyond that there are few similarities.
O’Riley left Celtic with a flurry of goals, 17 months after arriving from Augsburg Engels hasn’t yet defined his midfield role.
Callum McGregor is firmly anchored as the defensive midfielder, with his lack of goals, outwith penalties, Engels has alternated with Reo Hatate for a central role this season.
Being Celtic’s most expensive signing didn’t help Engels but he played a key role in the 24/25 Champions League campaign.
Nine starts and one substitute appearance made an impact in UEFA’s elite competition alongside a couple of caps for Belgium suggested that the midfielders career was moving in the right direction.
This season that progress has stalled, in line with most Celtic players.
Kairat Almaty knocked Celtic out of the Champions League. Three changes in management confirms how turbulent this season has been.
Selling Engels wouldn’t be a popular move but the same could be said about Kyogo, Kuhn, Idah and O’Riley.
Martin O’Neill will be quizzed today on the latest transfer rumours.
CLICK HERE for Engels Transfermarkt profile.
Makes sense given that Celtic always sell before they buy. Common consensus was it would have been Hatate or Maeda but, given the past record and defined SOP of the Celtic board over the last 20 years it was certainly going to be someone. Selling Engels for say, £12million would give the manager Celtics standard ratio of transfer fee available from a transfer sale of £2.4m for a replacement, 20%, as is the norm
The only way it could even possibly be acceptable to sell engels this window when we are so desperate for reinforcements would be if they were about to take the money for him an pay it right back out for a quality player like kasper hogh but I think we all know how its gonna work take the money for engels and use it for
2 x 1.5/2 million punts with little to no chance they’ll make it with us and bank the rest to cover deficit of not another penny campaign. Theyve gotta protect their bonuses at all costs
See ya
He already said he is going nowhere ! How much more of this ??! Joe, ! Ur a smart guy , enough with the kiech
Editor: Top tip, never believe a word said in football. No player is going to say ‘I want to leave here’. Kyogo and Idah didn’t want to leave. Nicholson wanted to boost the bank balance to increase the Corporation Tax bill.
I think you’ve been reading and believing too much keegh from your mates over on Thick News.
Think Eddie above has nailed Celtic’s transfer strategy.
Nobody of any worth comes in unless there’s money coming in from a sale, and literally only 20% of that is ever gonna go back out in buys.
Taking into account the money lost from Not Another Penny, we’ll be lucky to see anyone coming in cos the books have to be balanced.
That’s as clear now as it’s ever been.
Meanwhile, a club that already died from financial hari-kari, is reincarnated and still spending like Micheal Jackson in an antiques shop.
As we almost all understand, nobody wants us to do a Sevco, but reinvesting 10m every season into playing staff would keep us ahead indefinitely, that’s just fact.
And with league & cups prize money, merch, player sales and the likelihood of Euro money…10m in investment should be no problem whatsoever.
So what’s holding DD back?
Has the clubs value not reached the peak selling point so he can max out his investment?
Thing I don´t understand is everyone has to get the green light from Desmond .. but why ?
Its not HIS money !! He bought his shares but as far as I am aware (and you could confirm or deny JOE) he does not put any money into the club on an annual basis?
We have 70-80M in the bank , due to Ticket sales (fans money) Merchandising sales (fans money) Competition prize money (which due to their ineptitude will be way down from last season) and Player sales.
So of those 4 income streams can ANYONE explain why Desmond has a say in how the money is spent? Or am i mistaken ?