Celtic reject Nottingham Forest’s £25M deadline day bid for Arne Engels

In a dramatic turn of events on transfer deadline day, Celtic have firmly rejected a £25 million offer from Nottingham Forest for the midfielder. 

Arne Engels, marking the third rebuffed bid from the Premier League side.

The English club, desperate to bolster their midfield ranks in the final hours of the January window, had been pursuing the Belgian talent aggressively, but Celtic’s resolve remains unshaken.

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill weighed in on the saga, delivering a stark message that only an astronomical £100 million offer would sway the Parkhead board. “That’s the kind of figure it would take to even consider letting him go,” O’Neill stated, underscoring the club’s high valuation of their asset. 

While £25 million represents a tempting sum, surpassed in Celtic’s history only by the £30 million sale of Matt O’Riley 18 months prior, the rejection signals strong backing for current manager Brendan Rodgers and his vision for the team.

Engels, who arrived as O’Riley’s direct replacement, has quickly become indispensable since Rodgers’ return to the helm. 

The 22-year-old has cemented his place in the starting XI, showcasing composure on the ball, tactical intelligence, and a knack for breaking up opposition plays. 

His performances have been pivotal in Celtic’s domestic dominance, helping maintain their lead in the Scottish Premiership and contributing to key victories in European competitions.

However, Engels’ journey hasn’t been without friction. Earlier in the season, following the arrival of Swedish prospect Benjamin Nygren, the midfielder publicly challenged Rodgers over limited starting opportunities.

Celtic’s stance not only protects a core player but also sends a message to rivals: their squad is not for sale at bargain prices. 

As the clock ticks down, attention turns to whether Forest will pivot to other targets or if an eleventh-hour escalation could yet materialize. 

For Celtic, retaining Engels bolsters their ambitions for silverware, affirming their strategy of building a resilient, competitive unit under Rodgers’ guidance.