West Ham are preparing an improved offer for Arne Engels after seeing two bids rejected by Celtic.
The Belgian midfielder has emerged as the Championship club’s priority target, with reports on Friday claiming personal terms had already been agreed between the player and West Ham.
Martin O’Neill later confirmed there was genuine interest in Engels, but revealed the opening offer fell well short of Celtic’s valuation.
The Scottish champions are believed to be holding out for a fee of around £25 million, a figure that would shatter the Championship transfer record.
According to the Daily Record, West Ham have now had two bids knocked back, but remain determined to land the midfielder and are expected to return with an improved proposal in the coming days.
Despite Celtic’s firm stance, there is a growing expectation that the deal will eventually be completed if the English side move closer to the club’s asking price.
Should Engels depart, attention is likely to turn immediately to Mika Baur.
CeltsAreHere revealed on Sunday that Celtic are preparing an improved offer worth around £5 million for the German Under-21 international after an initial bid was rejected by SC Paderborn.
The Hoops remain optimistic they can strike a deal, with sources close to the player continuing to insist Baur is determined to make the move to Glasgow.
Personal terms are already in place, leaving the transfer fee as the final major hurdle.
Paderborn have publicly maintained they are confident of keeping the midfielder, but Celtic are expected to test that resolve with an improved package this week.
If Engels’ exit gathers pace, it could provide further momentum to Baur’s proposed arrival.
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2 responses
Locked in talks 🤪
Both AJ and Engels should be locked in the changing rooms,NOT TALKS, and kept at Parkhead until at least after the Champions League qualifier!
To replace both of these players in what’s remaining of the transfer window will be a huge task does the board realise this?
Celtic won the double after a long hard slog and we thank MON for his genius in turning around a season that seemed beyond them. That squad is now weaker and will become even weaker with further sales of players so how does the board expect Celtic to continue their dominance with such a vastly weaker squad. This is not the time for panic buys of the ilk of Balikwisha and Tounekti but a time to put the money where there mouth’s are and go out and buy players of the quality of,or better quality,than those that have been allowed to leave. Those bought have to be of the quality and stature that they can walk straight into the team and hit the ground running! The Baur and Hassan signings should have been done and dusted by now – the two lads from ‘Well(Just and Watt) shouldn’t have been allowed to leave Scotland without at least showing greater interest!