Celtic are expected to receive fresh interest in one of their star men as clubs begin to circle. The Bhoys are struggling to strengthen their ranks currently, with Martin O'Neill admitting that it has been hard to convince players to move to Glasgow.
Perhaps the biggest problem with Celtic's lack of business is the number of exits they are expecting this summer. A number of key players are expected to leave, and Arne Engels is chief among them.
Engels expected to receive fresh interest
A number of Premier League sides are interested in Engels this summer, and according to the usually reliable ExWestHamEmployee, on their Patreon, newly relegated Championship club West Ham are now ready to ramp up their interest in Engels.
It's noted that West Ham's director of recruitment, Nils Koppen, previously spent time at Rangers and that he has a broad knowledge of the Scottish game.
But there are a couple of factors that will complicate a deal for West Ham. Celtic are going to be looking for £25million for Engels this summer, especially given the level of interest, and that would be a bold investment from a Championship club.
Although the money is there due to the £85million sale of Mateus Fernandes and the expected sale of Crysencio Summerville for at least £40million.
But it would be a major surprise if Engels decided to join a Championship side when he has Premier League options. With Celtic potentially playing Champions League football this season, a move to West Ham in the Championship would arguably be a backwards step, or at the very most a sideways step, even if the Hammers will be favourites to go back up.
Still, Engels would be better off playing Champions League football, and the only instance in which giving up Champions League football might be wise is if the opportunity comes up to join a solid Premier League club, which is likely.
O'Neill resigned to Engels exit
Speaking recently, Celtic boss Martin O'Neill said he is almost resigned to the possibility of Engels leaving this summer. He said: "I would imagine so, yeah. At this minute, I don't think that anything has happened. Some of these things, it carries on up towards the end of the window and then suddenly something happens.
"I'm not saying we're not prepared for it, but you're not ready because it's happening too late. If, for instance, all those bids that Nottingham Forest made come in on the 11th hour. That was just a non-goer for us at that particular stage. If some things can happen a bit earlier, then maybe there's some resignation on my part."
Add us as a preferred source on Google