Nottingham Forest step up pursuit of Celtic star Arne Engels | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Celtic midfielder Arne Engels by lodging an official bid for the Belgian international.

23rd May 2026; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Cup Final Football, Celtic versus Dunfermline; Arne Engels of Celtic with the trophy. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Engels, who became Celtic’s record signing last summer, continues to attract significant interest from across Europe and the Premier League, with his long-term future at the Scottish championship remaining uncertain.

Forest have maintained their interest after seeing a £25 million bid turned down during the January transfer window. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have also been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old.

According to Belgian outlet Voetbal Krant, Forest are the first club to submit a formal offer during the current transfer window. The report adds that Roma are preparing an approach of their own, while Villarreal have now joined the race for the midfielder’s signature.

It is also claimed that Engels could complete a move as early as next week, with speculation over his future continuing to gather pace.

Speaking during Celtic’s pre-season training camp in Portugal, manager Martin O’Neill admitted there is an acceptance that the club could lose key players if suitable offers arrive early enough in the transfer window.

“If, for instance, all those bids that Nottingham Forest made come in on the 11th hour – that was just a non-goer for us at that particular stage.

“So if some things can happen a bit earlier, then maybe there’s some resignation on my part.

“That’s part and parcel. And while we consider ourselves a big club, in terms of finance now, people can earn much, much more money elsewhere.”

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