That is the claim from Florian Plettenberg, the respected German reporter.
Plettenberg was very accurate with information two years ago when Celtic signed Engels from Augsburg.
Since news of bids from Nottingham Forest emerged in January it has seemed inevitable that Engels would be transferred.
Forrest were reported to be back in. Atalanta and Lazio have also been credited with interest in the midfielder.
Now it seems that Engels is happy to move on to a club that has just been relegated out of the EPL.
?? Arne Engels has reached a verbal agreement with West Ham United.
Club-to-club negotiations with Celtic are ongoing.
At the same time, Celtic are working on a deal to sign Mika Baur from SC Paderborn. @SkySportDE ?? pic.twitter.com/QU26F3fjbC
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 31, 2026
Martin O’Neill is bound to be asked about the Engels situation at this afternoon’s pre-match media conference.
After being out injured Engels returned to the Celtic side in April to play a key role in winning the domestic double.
With Daizen Maeda sold last week to Ipswich the loss of Engels will leave a considerable hole in the Celtic squad.
CELTIC DEPARTURES ARE BECOMING A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
When Engels returned from injury Paolo Bernardo and Reo Hatate were side-lined. Both have been linked away.
Plettenberg’s update mentions Celtic’s interest in Mika Baur but without any real update.
Fabrizio Romano broke the news of Celtic’s interest in the midfielder on July 21.
Baur missed Paderborn’s midweek win over Southampton due to a cold with attention on Osnabruck tomorrow for their next friendly.
With a year left on his contract this summer is the last chance for Paderborn to cash in on Baur.
Whether that will be with Celtic remains to be seen.
The transfer window remains open until September 3.
Celtic have to register their Champions League squad by August 13 with two changes permitted the day before the first leg of the Play Off on August 18 or 19.
Engels was looking for away anyway, as apparently is Rio. That is bad news, but PB as well! Surely we can’t let all 3 go at once. Rio is best, but 4 and a half years, he is entitled to consider elsewhere, if an offer comes, but 2 to WHU? Please Celtic at least realise one has to stay.
Think it was in his contract that he could leave in 2 year if any club met the valuation
It’s ludicrous to think that Celtic can cope with the losing of Engels, Hatate and Bernardo and I’ve heard rumours around Parkhead that Nygren would like a move to England? On top of this there’s Everton’s interest in Alistair Johnston – that’s almost half of the first team!
But West Ham,and Ipswich with Maeda,where is the ambition in joining sides that yo-yo back and forth from the Championship and Premiership, when if ever will teams like these play in Europe? At best they’ll win the Championship or promotion!!
I ask you what defines a successful career multiple medals and playing in the top European competitions or a bulging bank balance?
Well if that’s his ambition to move to West ham who are woeful” so its only about money that’s sad as he is still a young lad and should be setting his career to reach a higher standard of club but its all about money.
Some folks comments about Engels only moving for the money.
Of course he’s moving for the money, just like every single one of us would move for the money.
He will probably earn more in one year at West Ham than he will another 3 yrs here.
How many of us would knock that back? None is my guess.
These guys are employed, its their job, plain and simple, that’s entirely different from being a fan or the expectations of fans.
He’s gave it his best shot, personally I don’t think he has ever lived up to the hype, but he hasn’t exactly been crap either.
He moves on, he gets replaced. That’s the circle.
In 6 months none of us will be looking back and wishing he hadn’t left.
We know how this goes:
a few signings,
then we sell a few more of our regular starters for decent money.
But, they are not replaced before the CL qualifier.
IF we win that, then it’s a mad rush to get in players before the window shuts.
Selling clubs hold out for a premium: Celtic has the cash pile and obviously needs new players.
But, with the sloth-like speed of Celtic’s negotiating and decision making,
we can’t get deals done – so it’s last minute loan deals.
Infuriating.
Not to mention amateur, short sighted,a dereliction of duty, money grabbing, anti team, and scandalous.
We need at least the £25 million that Notts Forest (allegedly) offered !
All things aside Martin’s manner at these press conferences does my nut in.