Martin O’Neill is determined to fend off outside interest in Arne Engels as speculation grows over the midfielder’s future with today being deadline day and Nottingham Forest determined to test Celtics resolve to hold into the Belgian star…
The Scottish champions yesterday turned down a £14 million offer from Nottingham Forest for the Belgian midfielder and a further improved bid of £17.3m from the Premier League club has also been rejected by Celtic this morning.
BREAKING: Celtic have rejected a bid an improved offer of £17.3m (€20m) for Arne Engels from Nottingham Forest 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TS2QYj26BB
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 2, 2026
Forest are believed to have been told that Angels is NOT for sale and that Celtic hope that this is the end of their interest in the player. Whether Forest come back today with a third bid of perhaps £20m rather than their current valuation at €20m remains to be seen.
Engels remains under contract at the Hoops for another two and a half years, having signed a four-year agreement after arriving from Augsburg in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth around £11 million. Forest’s bids put to bed the Rodgers-haters view that the record spend on Engels was money poured down the drain.
Celtic are understood to have had no desire to cash in on the player during the January window and wasted little time in dismissing the late approach, which arrived during O’Neill’s side’s 2-0 victory over Falkirk.
However Forest may yet test Celtic’s resolve with a revised and improved third offer.
When questioned about the reported pursuit of the midfielder, O’Neill made it clear that he has no desire to see Engels depart. Speaking on the speculation linking the player with a move away, the Celtic boss was unequivocal about his stance.
Addressing whether he is keen to retain Engels despite Nottingham Forest’s interest, O’Neill said: “Absolutely… No question about it. I’d want it rebuffed [any transfer bid]unless it was £100m.”
Engels was also the subject of enquiries from clubs in Germany over the course of the window with the player himself dismissing interest from RB Leipzig as he wants to remain at Celtic to help us win the league. Engels featured for Celtic in their Scottish Premiership victory against Falkirk yesterday afternoon and Sandman explains the key role Engels is playing under Martin O’Neill that is allowing us to see a more effective role from Callum McGregor.
Well worth reading Sandman’s Definitive Ratings today folks.
With the transfer window shutting tonight, the Hoops remain active in the market as they look to strengthen their squad.
Next up for Celtic is a trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday to face Aberdeen. Martin O’Neill’s men will then be back at Celtic Park on Saturday evening for their last 16 tie against Dundee in the Scottish Cup.
Conor Spence
UPDATE: Celtic have rejected an improved offer of £17.3m from Nottingham Forest for midfielder Arne Engels. #CelticFC have told #NFFC that the Belgium international is not for sale in this window.#DeadlineDay https://t.co/AOfWAsicrt
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) February 2, 2026
Don’t believe our midfield areas has been functioning well, for a considerable amount of time now imo?
And it’s not like we are short on options available either, moreso struggling to find the best combinations within the set up of the team?
At present the calmac, Engels and nygren is the preferred choice? As it’s gaining winning results, it’s hard to make claims that the preferred midfield 3, isn’t the best combination available?
However, the 3 in Hatate, Paulo and McCowan don’t seem to be making an impact whatsoever, especially lately, which remains as a matter of concern? For myself anyway.
Still struggling to understand how we have got midfield options, capable of giving away so much possession, and even worse at defending within the football imo?
Physically we have a very weak midfield, that can be bullied to easily, without the quality factor unable to shine on a consistent basis.
With a rebuild expected in the summer, it remains an area for any new manager to address imo.
With our midfield areas no longer controlling games in the manner that we have become use to, has helped to have made this season a far bigger struggle than it ought to have been imo?