Celtic yesterday were linked with Belgium under 21 international Arne Engles…
The FC Augsburg midfielder who is 20 years old is highly rated and is valued at around £9 million. He’s played a total of 50 games in the Bundesliga scoring 3 times and registering 9 assists, so he’s hardly what you would call a ‘project’ player.
Engels is a versatile player and as well as being a midfielder who’s energetic and great on the ball, he’s also capable of playing at right back and right wing. So he’s certainly got the credentials that Brendan Rodgers likes in a player.
According to the reliable Anthony Joseph Celtic are interested in the Belgian but only if Matt O’Riley leaves the club. If true then that’s the sort of deal we should be pursuing. Investing a big chunk of any transfer fee we any receive on a player like Engels instead of two or three ‘project’ signings.
Engles is the type of player who would fit straight into our team and give us the quality we need to move forward. Maybe we should be looking to sign such a player regardless if Matt leaves or not. I know, that’s a lot to ask, but we can dare to dream.
Ideal scenario is Matt stays. Second best is Matt goes for at least £25m and the club activate an agreement to bring in Arne Engles. Worst option is we left Matt go then hear a message from the club that Paulo Bernardo (a fine signing in his own right) is actually his replacement in the squad, with Luke McCowan coming in as a £1m signing to replace Bernardo’s role in the squad as he steps up to replace O’Riley.
Hibs, incidentally have this morning made another bid for McCowan, this time for £750k, as Sky Sports has reported. They also point out that Celtic are monitoring the situation. The club will have asked Dundee to keep them updated and it is likely that the Dens Park side will be looking for £1m minimum for the midfielder.
BREAKING: Hibernian have made a third bid of £750,000 for Dundee captain Luke McCowan 🏴
Celtic are understood to be closely monitoring the situation, but are yet to make an official approach. pic.twitter.com/eu94jVOm7v
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 15, 2024
Celtic are interested in Augsburg central midfielder Arne Engels.
The 20yo is one of the top targets, IF Matt O’Riley leaves.
Augsburg value him at around £9m.
Rennes also keen on Engels, but he’d prefer a move to Celtic to play in the #UCL.
First called by @swearimnotpaul pic.twitter.com/CPTyiQJoBW
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 14, 2024
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Totally agree.
Players in general would want to know what role a manager has in mind for them within a squad?
So potentially a fair few players might not be to interested in only being used as backup players with very limited game time on offer with ourselves at present imo?
With a midfield 3 of Calmac, Hatate and Oreily in operation, then little to no chance of taking there positions early doors of the season, especially with the form they are capable of producing?
That however, will change after the international break, especially when the CL matches start up also?
Rodgers is looking at ourselves playing with much more intensity within our game, hence the depth of the overall squad will be required, in order for ourselves to play the way Rodgers intends for ourselves?
Will require rotation to be used moreso in the midfield and attacking areas, hopefully with subs, moreso than cover for potential injuries?
But Rodgers will be looking to form a squad that can cover most eventualities that can occur within the footballing world?
Could see how Rodgers could potentially fit in Engles and McGowan into our midfield areas at present, but that would possibly be at the expense of Holm imo?
Yet Holm looked fairly impressive during pre season, so wouldn’t say that he’s not within the plans of Rodgers for the season ahead either imo?
And young Turley coming through also, could well mean that we have decent options available within our midfield areas for the season ahead imo?
Of course it would be stronger if Oreily was to stay, but certainly looking like there will be enough cover and quality within our midfield options, should Oreily move on also imo?
What JOHNNO said; great points.
Would just add – take McCowan in spite of anything else that happens because he looks a kid with the potential to improve extremely fast under the right coach at the right club. i.e exactly what happened with O’Riley.