Man City signing starts €30m Celtic transfer domino

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Tom Weber | Writer

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

Manchester City's ongoing pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson could have sizeable ramifications for Celtic's summer business.

The England midfielder is one of the Premier League's most in-demand commodities, but at this point it has become clear that his most likely destination is the Etihad.

Man Utd remain keen on Anderson, yet they have already resigned themselves to the fact that they can only get their hands on the 23-year-old if his proposed move to rivals Man City falls through.

Negotiations with Nottingham Forest over a fee are in full swing. Man City are expected to place a second bid after seeing their opening offer rejected, with the Reds believed to be holding out for a fee north of €115 million.

Anderson, who is fully focused on the World Cup with England, is not agitating for a move, but it is understood that he is keen to join Man City. If everything goes to plan, he will become the first signing of the Enzo Maresca era.

Anderson deal to affect Celtic

Forest selling Anderson would have major consequences for Celtic because they remain keen on Arne Engels, according to Sky Sports. The City Ground outfit had several bids rejected for the Belgium international in January.

The Hoops held firm despite Forest offering up to €30 million for the 22-year-old, which would have made Engels the Parkhead side's club-record sale. Celtic's not-for-sale stance, however, only delayed the inevitable.

Engels is reportedly keen to take the next step in his career this summer, and there is an expectation that he will be sold if a suitable offer arrives. The good news for Celtic is that there could be a bidding war for the versatile midfielder.

Forest are no longer alone in their admiration of Engels, with fellow Premier League sides Fulham and Sunderland now also joining the race to sign him. The Cottagers have identified him as a key target despite being without a head coach.

The increased interest means that Celtic may still be able to make him their club-record sale despite there no longer being any late January window desperation from his suitors. Engels currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €13.1m, and he is under contract until 2028.