Players leaving for ‘lesser’ clubs will always happen. It’s just the reality for Celtic | OneFootball

Arne Engels has agreed terms with West Ham over a move to East London, although the two clubs are still miles apart in their valuation of the Belgian Internationalist…

Arne Engels will most probably be leaving Celtic, and whether that’s to West Ham or another suitor, he will be off sooner rather than later. Over the last day or two his proposed West Ham move has seen some interesting opinions being shared on fan media sites and on social media.

Some reckon that choosing a club such as West Ham, who will play in the English second tier after their relegation from the Premier League, is a slant on our reputation as a big club, as having a player leaving Celtic for a ‘lesser’ club is not a good look for a club of our supposed stature.

Arne Engels of Celtic and Callum McGregor of Celtic warm-up prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic at Easter Road on May 03, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

West Ham is a also a big club

But bypassing the fact that West Ham is also a big club, with a decent fanbase, albeit not as big as Celtic’s, players have always, and will continue to leave Celtic to join theses so called ‘lesser clubs’ who will have little chance of winning trophies or playing in European football.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic looks on following the team’s victory in the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Daizen Maeda to Ipswich is a perfect example

They are comparatively a small club in a big pond that West Ham will spend the season trying to get back into at the first time of asking. Other clubs in the Premier League, for example Bournemouth, Brentford, Ipswich Town (who have just signed Celtic talisman Daizen Maeda) and Coventry City are small clubs compared to a club of Celtic’s size and stature in the game.

Arne Engels of Celtic FC (L) tries to escape Silas Andersen of Sporting CP (R) during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues Getty Images)

Several English Championship sides can match Celtic for wages due to the TV money that’s pumped into the English game, with relegated EPL clubs receiving £60 million plus in parachute payments, with the Hammers being one of those clubs.

Highlighting the financial gap

To highlight that Financial gap, it would take Celtic more than a decade to make that sort of cash from the current TV deal in place with the Scottish top flight, or two or three shots at the Champions League group stages.

It isn’t just the salary aspect, there’s also the fact that the English Championship is seen as a more attractive option on the pitch for players, not just because it’s a stepping stone to the EPL, but also due to the competitiveness, better players, bigger crowds, and playing the same side just twice over the course of the season.

Arne Engels of Celtic FC (L) vies with Flavio Goncalves of Sporting CP (R) for the ball possession during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues Getty Images)

Unfortunately just the way of the modern footballing world

Players leaving Celtic for clubs of a smaller stature, is nothing to do with the size and prestige of our football club, and it will never alter our status as a big club.

It’s unfortunately just the way of the footballing world. Being a small fish in a big pond to most players, is now seen as more rewarding as the other way around.

Celtic’s transfer model should always recognise this so when we bring in a player like Arne Engels ideally we are selling him onto to a Premier League and NOT a Championship side because the next wave of Celtic targets will take notice.

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Scottish Premiership Falkirk versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Outbid by Norwich or did players prefer a Championship side as best route to a Premier League move?

In recent transfer windows Celtic missed out on a few sighings, players who have for example opted to go to Norwich City or perhaps they just outbid Celtic, which points to other factors for another day. Tired of talking about that rabbit hole to be honest.

Engels to Nottingham Forest for the £25m that they offered in January would suit Celtic perfectly just now. A lowball offer from West Ham can’t be considered financially or strategically. Same goes with any crazily low offer David Moyes and Everton put in for Alistair Johnston.

Market value has to be paid or Celtic’s transfer model itself weakens and no-one – including potential new recruits and their advisors – will believe in it.

West Ham will have to show that they are a big enough club to pay the going rate for Arne Engels who should be in the Celtic team to face Dundee tomorrow evening unless a suitable bid is received ahead of our Flag Day season opener at Paradise.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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