Nottingham Forest are exploring a deal to sign Celtic star Arne Engels | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest want to sign Celtic attacker Arne Engels before the winter transfer window deadline on Monday, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill would love to hold on to the Belgian but he could leave the Hoops under the right conditions.

The Parkhead club have been linked with a late move for SC Freiburg forward Junior Adamu, but it is unknown whether it is connected with the Bhoys preparing for a potential departure of Engels.

The 22-year-old still has two more years left on his Celtic contract, and the Hoops could wait until summer before sanctioning a sale.

However, Forest, owned by billionaire businessman Evangelos Marinakis, are desperate to bolster their attack as they eye survival and have also been linked with Everton attacker Dwight McNeil.

The Toffees are unlikely to let him leave and the City Ground club could look to tempt Celtic into selling Engels.

The Belgian has five goals and seven assists in 36 appearances for the Hoops so far this season, and losing him would be huge for O’Neill.

The opportunity to play Premier League football and boost his chances of going to the World Cup with his country could be too tempting for Engels to turn down.

A juicy bid could appeal to Celtic, but they have to get a replacement if they decide to let one of their most influential attackers leave midway through the season.

They are challenging Hearts and Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title, with nine points separating them from the league leaders – who have played a game more.

Losing a player like Engels right now could affect their chances of retaining the title, and Celtic fans will be unhappy to see him leave before the deadline on Monday.