Sources: Celtic's updated Arne Engels plan revealed as new West Ham offer rejected
Celtic are hoping to get the highest fee possible for Arne Engels after rejected two offers from West Ham, sources have told Football Insider.
The Hammers have made two offers for the 22-year-old, with the second and highest bid believed to have been in the region of £20million as they look to prise him away.
Martin O'Neill is resigned to losing the Belgium international this summer, but is determined to drive his price tag up as any fee will likely be reinvested into the squad.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, West Ham are acclerating their move for Engels and will make a third bid in attempt to beat rivals to a deal.
However, any agreement will have to be right for Celtic, as they remain in control of the midfielder's future due to his contract being set to run until 2028.
Celtic turned down offers as high as £25million during the January transfer window, and it may now take a fee above that number to secure his signature this summer.
Could West Ham make a new move for Arne Engels?
Football Insider revealed on 31 July that Engels has agreed personal terms with West Ham ahead of a move to the London Stadium, with talks ongoing over a deal.
Despite Celtic having rejected two offers in an attempt to drive up his price tag, the Hammers remain confident of getting a deal over the line in the coming days.
However, as previously mentioned, any deal will not be cheap with Celtic planning to get the highest fee possible for their star man in the coming weeks.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It'll be a case of whether they can drive the price tag up to as high a transfer fee as they possibly can.
"Obviously, the interest from West Ham is there, and there has already been a few offers for Engels, which so far Celtic have knocked back.
"West Ham are trying to work quickly to try and get a deal wrapped up for Engels to ward off any potential interest from Premier League clubs as well.
"Celtic ideally wouldn't want to lose Engels but, if you're being realistic, it's going to be very hard to keep hold of him when clubs in the Premier League or top Championship clubs come calling.
"At this stage, all expectation is that Celtic will let Engels move on when they get a suitable offer from West Ham."
Which other clubs are interested in Engels?
Celtic's determination to hike up Engels' price tag, alongside their decision to reject two formal offers from West Ham, has placed rival clubs on alert over his situation.
There is no shortage of interest in the Belgium international, both in England and across Europe, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund also heavily linked.
Meanwhille, Football Insider revealed on 20 July that Tottenham have emerged as surprise contenders for his signature, alongside Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham.
The four Premier League clubs have all been keeping an eye on the midfielder's situation in case he was made available by Celtic this summer.
With West Ham now having seen multiple offers rejected, their rivals could be tempted to push forward with their interest in a late move to lure Engels to the Premier League.