West Ham are preparing to step up their pursuit of Arne Engels, with fresh reports suggesting the Celtic midfielder could leave Parkhead before the transfer window closes.
Standard Sport reports that West Ham remain intent on signing Engels and are expected to return with another offer.
The report also claims that Engels is open to leaving Celtic, while there is a belief at Parkhead that the Belgian could eventually make the move south.
That would be a major development in a transfer story which has been running throughout the summer.
Reports have suggested Celtic are looking for a fee in the region of £25million before agreeing to sell Engels. The Hoops rejected a £25m offer from Nottingham Forest in January, showing the level they have previously placed on the midfielder.
The London club are looking to strengthen in midfield following the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts, and Engels remains one of the names under serious consideration.
Celtic, meanwhile, have already added Mika Baur from Paderborn, although further midfield business could still be required if Engels does leave.
Baur gives Martin O’Neill another option in the middle of the park, but losing Engels would still leave a sizeable gap to fill given his importance to the side.
There is no agreement in place between Celtic and West Ham at this stage, and any move would still depend on the clubs reaching a deal over the fee.
However, the latest claims suggest the situation is moving towards a point where West Ham could test Celtic’s resolve again.
With Engels reportedly open to the switch, Celtic said to be preparing for the possibility of his departure and a valuation of around £25m being reported, the next offer could prove crucial in deciding his future.
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