West Ham United submit improved bid for Arne Engels, which Celtic has accepted as it meets the club’s asking price…
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic plays the ball away from Aaron Tshibola of Kilmarnock. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
The Celtic midfielder is understood the be having a medical today ahead of the deal going through, meaning he is almost certainly NOT going to be available for Celtic’s crucial Champions League playoff against Austrian Champions LASK.
The Belgian international has been the subject of a number of rebuffed bids from the recently relegated Hammers in recent weeks, but now it looks as if they have upped the ante. Now that the Celtic asking price of £25m has been reached the club have given the green light for the 22 year old midfielder to move to the Championship side.
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic reacts to Greg Kiltie of Kilmarnock. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Arne Engels who was the subject of a failed £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest back in January, has scored seven goals and registered numerous assists in 46 appearances in all competitions last season, and West Ham see him as a potential key player as they bid to win promotion back to the EPL at the first attempt.
The West Ham Way have reported the fee involved, and it’s understood that the Hammers will pay Celtic £22 million for Arne, which will double the profit on the £11 million we sanctioned for his signature in 2024. However transfer journalist Alan Nixon has confirmed on his x account that the price is £25m plus £5m in add-ons. (Let’s hope that West Ham get promoted!)
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
It’s probably no surprise that the club have cashed in after going on an unexpected spending spree over the last few weeks, which has seen around £30 million spent on Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Haissem Hassan, and Mika Baur.
Along with the £10 million banked from Daizen Maeda’s move to Ipswich, and the £5 million brought in from the sales of Luis Palma and Hayato Inamura, that more than covers the club’s transfer outlays this summer.
The club haven’t finished there though, and continue to be linked with midfielders such as Torino star Gvidas Gineitis, Bosnian wonder-kid Ermin Mahmic, and Hibs star Miguel Chaiwa all reported targets of Martin O’Neill.
Arne Engels of Celtic delivers a cross during the Celtic v AC Milan match in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
With Arne Engels set to leave, he will need replaced, that’s not up for debate. Mika Baur has arrived, but he wasn’t signed as a direct replacement for the Belgian, rather he’s the player ho will replace Reo Hatate. So it vital that Celtic move quickly to plug the gap left by Arne.
We have already lost the services of Alistair Johnston through injury for the two matches against LASK. That weakens our defence. The sale of Arne Engels weakens our midfield considerably as it now lacks ‘legs’.
Arne Engels of Celtic. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
Arne made his 100th appearance for Celtic at Rugby Park on Sunday and put in his best performance. It was a decent way to sign off in the Hoops. Best of luck in England Arne! YNWA.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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