Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has reaffirmed his commitment to retaining the club's key players as the summer transfer window intensifies, with interest in Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston growing. According to Sky Sports News, West Ham has initiated talks to sign the Belgian midfielder, but Celtic is holding out for a £25m valuation.
O'Neill confirmed that an offer had been made, but it fell short of the club's expectations. Meanwhile, Everton has expressed interest in right-back Johnston following his impressive performance at the World Cup with Canada. O'Neill revealed that he had spoken with Everton manager David Moyes regarding a potential move, but the extent of the discussions remains unclear. Celtic has experienced a significant exodus of players, with 14 departures, including Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho.
The club has signed two new forwards, Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, with the latter joining for a record fee. As Celtic prepares to defend its Scottish Premiership title, O'Neill is eager to avoid further departures and maintain a balanced squad. He acknowledged the challenge of retaining key players while attracting new talent, describing it as an ideal scenario that is not always achievable in reality.
O'Neill is uncertain whether Engels or Johnston will be available for the upcoming match against Dundee. The manager is confident that newly signed strikers Hogh and Duran can play together, potentially requiring adjustments to the team's formation.
Celtic is also considering a move for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis, who has attracted interest from several clubs, including Rangers.