With just over a week of the transfer window remaining, will there be plenty more activity at Celtic? On Thursday, the Scottish champions confirmed the signing of striker Tomáš Čvančara.
The Czech international arrives on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach, while the Hoops have an €8 million (around £7m) option to buy come the summer. The 25-year-old cannot feature in Europe until the knockout stages, assuming they manage to get there, but is in line to debut at Tynecastle against Premiership leaders Hearts in Sunday's crucial clash.
Čvančara becomes Celtic's second signing of the window, after Mexican international right-back Julián Araujo, also a loanee, joined from Bournemouth. Ahead of the window closing on Monday, 2 February, supporters are demanding that a fair few more additions follow.
However, could there also be a significant departure?
Could Celtic's club-record signing be on the move?
As was widely-reported, Bundesliga side RB Leipzig enquired about the possibility of signing Celtic midfielder Arne Engels. The Belgian international joined Celtic on deadline day in the summer of 2024 from Augsburg for a club-record fee of £11 million, replacing Matt O'Riley.
Thus, Engels could have been set for a swift return to Germany, but this now appears unlikely. Sky Sports reported that the 22 -year-ld "is expected to stay", adding that "Engels is happy at Celtic and wants to help the club fight to retain the Scottish Premiership". They also interestingly note that the Belgian is enjoying working with current management duo Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney.
Across O'Neill's two caretaker spells, Engels has started nine of 11 matches, Sunday's Scottish Cup victory over Auchinleck Talbot the first time he has not featured. During this period, he has scored in league victories over Kilmarnock, Hibs and Dundee United, very much a key figure for the 73 year old.
Arne Engels' Celtic statistics
Statistics | Arne Engels at Celtic |
|---|---|
Appearances | 85 |
Minutes | 5,411 |
Goals | 14 |
Assists | 18 |
If indeed the reporting is correct and Engels has turned down the chance to join one of the Bundesliga's best sides, that is a serious statement. When the opportunity to move to a "big five" league comes about, it's not often that a Celtic player turns that down.
Partially due to his astronomical price tag, Engels has not lived up to the expectations placed upon him when he arrived. Nevertheless, in flashes, the Belgian has shown his brilliance, which isn't always easy in a struggling side.
At 22 years old, there is still plenty of time for him to develop and realise his full potential. Thus, if Celtic are going to pip Rangers and Hearts to the Premiership title, he is likely to be a key figure, so the news that he is staying can only be viewed as a positive.