€30m offer forces Celtic into transfer rethink

Tom Weber

Updated: 2 Feb 2026 16:40 GMT
4 min read

Martin O'Neill, Celtic, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Nottingham Forest have made a hefty €29 million bid for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, while Bolton Wanderers are in talks to sign striker Johnny Kenny.

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The Hoops have a big decision to make in the final hours of the January transfer window. Nottingham Forest are serious about signing Belgium international Arne Engels.

A defiant Martin O'Neill has insisted that his star midfielder is not for sale and that Forest must cough up north of €100m to sign the 22-year-old. That was obviously an exaggeration, and Celtic's resolve is now being tested in a major way.

Current ETV

Arne Engels

M (C)

Celtic

Arne Engels

M (C)

Celtic

ETV Range

€11.1M - €13.5M

Sky Sports reports that the Reds have made an improved offer that falls just short of €30m, consisting of €23m upfront and €6m in potential bonuses. Celtic are not indifferent to the offer.

It's a hefty sum of money, and Parkhead chiefs are said to be actively considering accepting. Engels has two and a half years left on his deal and has also received interest from RB Leipzig. However, it is unlikely that the Bundesliga side would be willing to match Forest's offer.

UPDATE: Celtic have rejected the bid from Forest, according to Sky.

Kenny in line for Bolton loan

Meanwhile, Sky also reports that Celtic are in talks with Bolton over a loan move for misfiring striker Johnny Kenny. The Republic of Ireland international has not scored in the Premiership since early November and has been omitted from O'Neill's last two matchday squads.

The League One side hold a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old, having attempted to sign him from Celtic in the summer. At the time, the Hoops rebuffed a bid in the region of just under €600,000.

Kenny is a contingency option for Bolton after they missed out on signing Wrexham forward Ryan Hardie. They are not the only side interested in the youngster, however.

It is claimed that other suitors from England are in the mix, while clubs from Portugal have also shown an interest. Kenny has scored six goals in all competitions this term.

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