£14m offer from Nottingham Forest rejected by Glasgow giants | OneFootball

Celtic draw firm line over Engels value

Celtic have made their position unmistakably clear after rejecting a £14 million bid from Nottingham Forest for Arne Engels, according to the Daily Mail. The swift dismissal that came on a significant afternoon for the Scottish champions, following their 2-0 win over Falkirk which lifted them above Rangers on goal difference.

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Forest’s interest surfaced quickly, but the response was immediate. The midfielder, signed for £11 million in 2024, remains central to Celtic’s plans as the club look to balance incoming business with protecting their core.

O’Neill sets uncompromising stance

Martin O’Neill left little room for ambiguity when asked about the approach. “Honestly, I am telling you, I didn’t know anything about it,” he said. “If they have done it, then they must have done it during the game. And I would want it rebuffed, unless it was £100million. Then I think the board would step in there. No, absolutely, I would rather keep him.”

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The tone was deliberate. O’Neill’s comments were less about negotiating theatrics and more about establishing authority before deadline day momentum gathers pace.

Deadline day pressure builds

With Celtic “braced for another offer from the Premier League club before the window closes tomorrow night”, the coming hours promise intensity. O’Neill has already made clear that he is targeting three new signings, yet not at the expense of losing a player he sees as foundational.

Forest may test Celtic’s resolve again, but the message from Glasgow is firm. Engels is not for sale on conventional terms.

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For Forest supporters, this feels like familiar territory. Ambition meets reality, and the gap between valuation and expectation becomes clear very quickly. A £14 million bid was always going to test the waters rather than land the deal, but O’Neill’s £100 million line tells Forest exactly where they stand.

That will frustrate some fans who see Engels as the type of midfielder Forest need to bridge the gap in quality. There is excitement in the idea of adding a player with European pedigree, but also realism. Forest cannot afford to be dragged into a deadline day standoff that inflates prices beyond reason.

Supporters will also recognise the logic in Celtic’s stance. If Forest had a breakout midfielder under contract, they would want to protect him just as fiercely. The hope now is that the recruitment team have alternatives lined up, players who can deliver impact without the drama.

While this move looks unlikely to progress, it does show intent. Forest are probing ambitious targets, and even when rebuffed, that signals a club still trying to push forward rather than stand still.