Celtic to accept Arne Engels offer that's below Nottingham Forest bid
Celtic are preparing to accept offers for Arne Engels as Martin O'Neill is now resigned to his departure, sources have told Football Insider.
The Hoops had initally hoped to keep hold of their best players this summer, including the 22-year-old, but accept it will be difficult to prevent him moving on.
A number of clubs in the Premier League and across Europe have been keeping tabs on his situation, and the money involved in any deal would benefit all parties.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Celtic are ready to let Engels move on and believe they now have room and funds to find a replacement.
This comes after O'Neill's side rejected a £25million offer from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window as they would have been caught short in the market.
Any funds raised from Engels' sale is likely to be reinvested into Celtic's starting XI, and plans are underway as they brace to receive offers for the midfielder.
How much will it cost to sign Arne Engels from Celtic?
Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Celtic are prepared to accept offers for Engels which fall below the £25million Nottingham Forest were willing to pay in January.
That price tag will make a move even more inviting for the mutlitude of interested clubs plotting moves, and with Celtic now ready to let him go, they are bracing for offers.
Engels, meanwhile, is also believed to be keen on a move to a top European club after proving himself at Celtic over the last couple of seasons.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It's going to be hard for Celtic to keep hold of him, they did very well to keep him in the January window.
"Nottingham Forest made multiple bids for him, but Celtic weren't willing to let him go because they didn't have time to go out and bring in a replacement.
"Obviously, they've got more time to plan ahead in this summer transfer window, so if they are to let him go then they can go and bring somebody else in.
"I don't think Celtic are going to be short of interest in Arne Engels this summer, and Martin O'Neill has been quite open and realistic that he probably will end up losing Engels if big offers do come for him."
Which clubs are interested in signing Engels this summer?
Nottingham Forest have previously been the club to show the most interest in Engels, having seen multilpe offers turned down by Celtic in the winter transfer window.
However, they have now been joined by rivals including the likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign the midfielder.
Football Insider revealed on 19 July that Tottenham are plotting a move to sign Engels, with the Belgium international emerging as a surprise target for Roberto De Zerbi.
Despite having spent £185million on the signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes already this summer, Spurs remain keen to bolster their midfield.
Engels' availability has placed a number of clubs across Europe on high alert, and given the level of interest in his signature, Celtic will hope to secure a high price.