Celtic told record deal is on as transfer race heats up

Updated: 30 Jun 2026 17:41 BST | 4 min read

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

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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AS Roma are the latest club to show a strong interest in Arne Engels - and this is actually good news for Celtic.

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The Belgium international is one of the most in-demand players at Parkhead. In January, Celtic rejected several offers for Engels from Nottingham Forest, the highest of which could have made him a club-record sale at €30 million.

Martin O'Neill and company held firm, but it only delayed the inevitable. The 22-year-old looks increasingly likely to depart this summer, and some reports have claimed that he has already decided to seek a new challenge.

Current ETV

Arne Engels

M, DM (C)

Celtic

Arne Engels

M, DM (C)

Celtic

ETV Range

€11.8M - €14.4M

Forest are once again in the mix to sign him as they need a replacement for Man City-bound Elliot Anderson. Engels is one of several options currently under consideration. With Anderson set to become the most expensive British player ever, money won't be a problem for Forest.

Crystal Palace have also been associated, while other clubs in the Premier League and around Europe have been tentatively linked as well. This widespread interest means that Celtic will be able to demand a sizeable fee for the versatile midfielder.

Roma waiting for domino to fall

Roma are now also being strongly linked with a move for Engels, and Il Messaggero has provided an insight into the club's pursuit. According to the Italian outlet, a lot hinges on Manu Kone.

Roma wanted to make a major sale before the current financial year's deadline, which is today, but despite not having managed that, Kone remains a prime candidate to depart.

The France international was already being shopped around last year, only for the club's owners to step in at the last minute and make it clear that he could not be sold. A departure this summer, though, looks inevitable.

Engels is one of Roma's preferred options to replace Kone, but the Serie A giants will not make a move unless there is concrete progress on the Frenchman's sale, which isn't yet the case.

Once this domino falls, a potential move for Engels could accelerate. Initial contact with his entourage has been established. It is claimed that Celtic value the Belgian at €25m, which is a manageable fee for the Giallorossi.

However, as alluded to above, Celtic will surely demand a club-record figure of €30m or higher for Engels given the level of interest. The higher the price, the less likely a move to Italy is - but Celtic won't care.

A bidding war, ideally between free-spending Premier League sides, is exactly what they want.

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