22-Year-Old Celtic Player Set For A Possible Summer Move: Will Losing The Title Guarantee A Sale?
22-Year-Old Celtic Player Set For A Possible Summer Move: Will Losing The Title Guarantee A Sale? Celtic are staring down the very real possibility of losing their best midfielder this summer, and the result of the title race will likely decide whether Arne Engels stays or goes. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Engels’ consistently strong performances in Glasgow have made a move away more and more likely.
Celtic face summer reckoning as Engels edges towards the exit door Brown pointed out that the financial reality of Scottish football makes it hard to say no to massive offers, noting that Celtic usually take the money when a substantial bid comes in. He mentioned that scouts from Nottingham Forest and other clubs will be watching Engels closely during the final stretch, doing their homework before deciding on a formal bid this summer. Forest already put £25 million on the table on deadline day in February, which Celtic knocked back because they weren’t willing to let their star man go mid-season.
Brown believes winning the Premiership is the big factor here; Champions League football gives Celtic the power to turn down even the most aggressive offers. Without it, he argues, it will be almost impossible to stop him from moving to a club offering football at a higher level. “It’s difficult for Celtic to keep hold of their best players,” Brown told Football Insider.
“The way the game is in Scotland at the moment, if a huge offer comes in for somebody, chances are it will be accepted because they could do with the money. “Whenever there’s a player performing at a high level for Celtic, it’s going to attract interest. “So when we’re speaking about Engels, of course, there’s going to be interest in him, and clubs will be keeping a close eye to see how he does in the run-in.
“These interested clubs, Nottingham Forest and the rest, will send scouts to have a closer look at him and get all of the information they could possibly need. “Forest made that £25million offer, so it’s clear they are big fans of his and I wouldn’t expect their interest to go away quickly if that is the case. “If Celtic don’t go and win the league, it’s going to be difficult to keep hold of him.