Arne Engels ‘could quit Celtic’ after Nottingham Forest move blocked
Arne Engels could be on his way out of Celtic in the summer after an offer from Nottingham Forest was blocked on the final day of the January window.
Forest made three bids for the 22-year-old on deadline day, the largest of which would have equalled the Scottish record £25million sale.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that he was surprised Celtic rejected such a lofty fee, but expects the opportunity to arise again in the summer.
Nottingham Forest remain very keen on Engels and are set to keep tabs on his progress as Martin O’Neill‘s side hunt the Scottish Premiership title.
Should they return with an offer of similar or even increased value come the end of the season, Celtic may have no choice but to let him move on.
Celtic could be forced to accept Arne Engels offer
Football Insider revealed last month that Celtic would not accept offers for Engels as he remains a big part of O’Neill’s plans for the rest of the season.
However, regardless of whether they achieve their aim of pipping Hearts and Rangers to the league title, it could be difficult to keep hold of the midfielder.
“I was surprised Celtic turned down that offer,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Nottingham Forest came in with £25million, which is pretty much unheard of in Scottish football, and yet they turned it down.
“I think it definitely asked questions of them, they must’ve been on 50/50 about accepting it because a fee like that his huge for Celtic, but they decided he’s too important.
“That’s fine, he’s a big part of their team, but I do expect the situation to change in the summer.
“Forest have been keeping a close eye on him and they’ve been impressed by what they’ve seen, so they’ll be watching in the second half of the season.
“If they come back in with an offer of similar value, I expect it will be much more tempting for Celtic and for the player, who could be tempted to move on.”
Celtic set sights on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deal
Celtic’s midfield has been a key talking point throughout the window, and could even be addressed outside of it amid interest in free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Brown told Football Insider on 3 February that Celtic are eyeing Oxlade-Chamberlain as a potential late move to bolster in the middle of the park.
The 32-year-old has been training with Arsenal to maintain fitness following his departure from Besiktas and Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out signing him.
Celtic are now believed to be working to assess the former England international’s fitness and condition before making a move to bring him in.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s last senior appearance came for Besiktas in May, before he suffered a knee injury and ultimately saw his contract terminated.
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