West Ham United have entered into negotiations with Scottish champions Celtic in an effort to secure the services of their promising young midfielder, Arne Engels. The 22‑year‑old Belgian international has attracted attention from several clubs across the English top flight, with Nottingham Forest reportedly turning down a handful of bids for him on the final day of the January transfer window.
Despite that interest, it is the Hammers – currently competing in the Championship – who appear to be the most actively engaged in trying to bring Engels to London, where he still has two years remaining on his Celtic contract. Celtic’s chief executive, Michael Nicholson, recently highlighted the challenges the club faces in the transfer market, noting that they are often forced to compete with Championship sides for the signatures of quality players.
He made those comments during Celtic’s annual general meeting, a gathering in which manager Martin O’Neill also voiced concerns about the squad’s depth, admitting that the current group lacks the necessary strength to contend for major honours and that significant reinforcements are required. Since that meeting, Celtic have already moved on one of their key targets by splashing a club‑record fee to bring in Norwegian striker Kasper Høgh from Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. The acquisition underscores the club’s willingness to invest heavily in order to bolster their attacking options, but it also illustrates the financial constraints they face when trying to retain home‑grown talent like Engels, who has become a focal point of their midfield. Engels’ profile has risen sharply over the past season.
A versatile central midfielder, he is comfortable both in a deep‑lying play‑maker role and further up the pitch, where his vision, passing range and ability to drive forward with the ball make him a valuable asset. His performances for Celtic have not only earned him regular first‑team minutes but also caught the eye of national team selectors, leading to call‑ups for Belgium’s under‑21 side and discussions about a potential senior debut in the near future.
The interest from Premier League clubs, however, has been tempered by the fact that many of them have already filled their midfield needs or are reluctant to meet Celtic’s valuation for a player still under contract for another two years. Nottingham Forest, for example, have been heavily linked with Engels but have so far been unable to agree on terms with Celtic, despite making multiple offers. Their primary midfield target remains Swedish youngster Lucas Bergvall, who is currently tied up in protracted negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur, leaving Forest in a precarious position as they look to reinforce their squad. West Ham’s pursuit of Engels appears to be driven by a strategic desire to add youthful dynamism and technical proficiency to a side that is aiming to return to the Premier League.
The Hammers have been active in the market, scouting players who can contribute immediately while also possessing resale value for the future. Engels fits that profile perfectly: he is young enough to develop further under the guidance of West Ham’s coaching staff, yet experienced enough to handle the physical and tactical demands of English football. Should West Ham succeed in securing Engels, the move would represent a significant coup for a club operating outside the top tier, demonstrating their ability to attract talent that is also being courted by higher‑profile Premier League outfits.
It would also provide Celtic with a substantial transfer fee, which could be reinvested into the squad to address the deficiencies highlighted by O’Neill at the AGM. The financial boost could enable the Scottish side to continue their recent trend of breaking club records for incoming transfers, thereby maintaining their competitiveness both domestically and in European competitions. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining the final outcome.
Celtic will need to balance the desire to keep a player of Engels’ calibre with the pragmatic need to generate revenue, while West Ham must decide how much they are prepared to invest in a player who may still have a year or two left on his current deal. Meanwhile, Premier League clubs will be watching closely, ready to intervene if West Ham’s offer does not meet their expectations, potentially reigniting the bidding war that has already seen several clubs express interest. In summary, the race for Arne Engels is a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by clubs outside the elite echelons of English football: the need to compete financially with wealthier rivals while also securing talent that can make an immediate impact.
Whether West Ham can outbid their Premier League competitors and convince Celtic to part with their promising midfielder remains to be seen, but the negotiations are undoubtedly heating up as the transfer window draws to a close. Stay updated with live transfer news and the latest headlines by downloading the Sky Sports app, where you can follow every development in real time.