Updated: 27 Apr 2026 16:08 BST |
4 min read
Celtic have been handed an unlikely boost in their bid to retain the services of star midfielder Arne Engels this summer.
The 22-year-old has been a pivotal player for the Hoops since his arrival from Augsburg in 2024 and his form has attracted the attention of multiple clubs across European football, including Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
The English top flight side launched two late bids for Engels during the January transfer window, amid their pursuit of reinforcements to help save them from suffering relegation back down to the Championship, but Celtic opted to rebuff both offers in favour of keeping Engels at the club.
Forest’s offer of just shy of €30 million would’ve made Engels one of the most expensive sales in Celtic’s history, however Martin O’Neill’s side chose to keep the Belgium international at Celtic Park in an attempt to defend their Scottish Premiership title.
Despite failing during the winter window, Forest have been widely tipped to rekindle their interest in Engels this summer and rumours indicate that a fresh bid is likely to be submitted if they secure survival this season.
However, The Sun now claim that Forest want to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney as their replacement for Manchester-bound Elliot Anderson instead.
Nottingham Forest eye Hayden Hackney transfer
Anderson, 23, is expected to complete a move to either Manchester City or Manchester United for a fee in excess of €100m this summer and it’s now reported that Hackney, not Engels, has been earmarked as Forest’s ideal successor.
The Englishman has enjoyed a sublime season at the Riverside Stadium and he deservedly won the Championship Player of the Year prize at the recent EFL awards ceremony. Forest saw a Deadline Day approach rejected in February, but a move could be on the cards this summer, especially if Middlesbrough fail to secure promotion back to the Premier League this term.
While Forest could feasibly sign Hackney and Engels this summer, given the fee they are likely to earn for Anderson, they may well only choose to add one to their squad, and news of their interest in the former will come as a major relief to Celtic.
Engels still has two years remaining on his current contract at Celtic Park and retaining his services for at least another season would be a huge boost for the Scottish giants.
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