Daily Record report that Celtic have turned down Nottingham Forest’s third offer for Arne Engels, rejecting it almost as soon as it arrived at Parkhead on deadline day.
Forest came back with a bid that could reach £25 million, with £20 million offered straight away and the rest tied to add-ons. Celtic dismissed it quickly, just as they had with earlier bids of £14 million and £17 million. Despite the numbers going up, the response from the club has stayed the same.
From Celtic’s point of view, the call is about what happens on the pitch. Engels has slotted into a tough midfield role faster than many expected and is already relied on in matches where the pace is high and mistakes get punished. He has been central to moving the ball through crowded areas and helping Celtic get past the first wave of pressure, which is harder to replace than it looks.
Letting him go now would create a problem they know well. The season is entering a stretch where control in midfield often decides games, especially away from home and in Europe. Without Engels, more of that burden would fall on Callum McGregor, while others would be asked to do jobs they have not fully made their own.
Forest’s repeated bids underline how highly Engels is viewed beyond Scotland, but Celtic are focused on their own path. The Hoops broke their transfer record to sign him last summer and see him as part of the core of the side, not someone to move on before he has even completed this season.
Turning the bid away also reflects belief in the current squad. Celtic remain active across competitions, and weakening the centre of the team now risks issues that cannot be fixed quickly, no matter how much money comes in.
For Forest, the message is clear for the moment. For Celtic, it shows that rising bids alone will not force a sale.
