Celtic Target Makes Free Transfer Move as Arne Engels Twist Emerges

A midfielder Celtic were linked with earlier this year is set to make a free transfer to the English Premier League.

Back in February, reports claimed the Hoops had offered Austria international Xaver Schlager a pre-contract deal as he approached the end of his time at RB Leipzig.

The 28-year-old has now found his next club.

According to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Schlager is set to sign for Nottingham Forest on a two-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months.

Ornstein also reported that Schlager rejected a new deal from RB Leipzig despite attracting interest from what were described as elite European clubs.

That ends any lingering prospect of a move to Celtic, even if the club’s reported interest earlier in the year was genuine.

🚨 EXCL: Nottingham Forest to sign Xaver Schlager as free agent. 28yo Austria midfielder rejected RB Leipzig renewal & elite European clubs for #NFFC. 2+1yr contract after strong WC – brings quality, leadership, experience. Medical this week @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/0jvhqiPaQz

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 15, 2026

Schlager has built a strong reputation in Germany and recently featured for Austria at the World Cup. He started all four of his country’s matches as they reached the Round of 32 before being knocked out by eventual finalists Spain.

When Celtic were first linked with the midfielder, reports suggested they were the only club to have made a formal offer. Interest from England and Italy followed, and Forest have now won that race.

The financial gap between the Premier League and Scottish football was always likely to play a part. Forest were in a position to offer terms that Celtic likely just could not match.

The move also brings another interesting link between the two clubs.

Forest, now managed by Oliver Glasner, remain one of the sides credited with an interest in Arne Engels. They saw a £25 million bid rejected by Celtic in January, but reports have consistently suggested their admiration for the Belgian midfielder has not gone away.

Their recent sale of Elliot Anderson for a reported £116 million has strengthened their position in the transfer market. Landing Schlager on a free transfer means they have added experience without spending a fee, leaving plenty of room to strengthen elsewhere if they choose.

Whether that leads to another move for Engels remains to be seen this summer. Martin O’Neill recently said he had not heard of any fresh bids for the Celtic midfielder, but transfer windows have a habit of changing quickly.

For now, Schlager is heading to the Premier League, bringing an end to a transfer link that briefly looked like it could have given Celtic an experienced addition in the middle of the park.