Scottish Premiership star could follow Belgian

Scottish Premiership star could follow Belgian wonderkid Arne Engels to Celtic as Hoops eye stunning… Read More 👇

Celtic are on the verge of making significant moves in the transfer market, with reports suggesting they are pursuing a £10 million deal for Belgian wonderkid Arne Engels. The versatile 20-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Augsburg in the Bundesliga, was a standout performer last season and nearly made Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad. Engels, who can also operate as a right-back and right-winger, is primarily a central midfielder. He is seen as a potential replacement for Matt O’Riley, who is attracting interest from Atalanta. The Italian club is eyeing O’Riley as a replacement for Teun Koopmeiners, who is on the verge of a big-money move to Juventus. Celtic are holding out for £25 million for O’Riley, while Augsburg is reportedly seeking around £10 million for Engels, which would set a new record for Celtic.

Engels joined Augsburg in January 2023 for a modest fee of around £100,000. Since then, he has made 50 Bundesliga appearances and earned a call-up to Belgium’s senior national team, following his ten caps at the Under-21 level. Despite having three years left on his contract, Augsburg is willing to let him leave in the current transfer window, making him an attractive option for Celtic. However, the Scottish champions face competition from Premier League clubs Southampton and Brighton. Southampton manager Russell Martin has admitted that their chances of signing Engels are slim, stating, “We are not in the race right now.”

In addition to Engels, Celtic are reportedly eyeing Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan. The 26-year-old has caught the attention of several clubs, including Hibernian, who had a £750,000 bid rejected by Dundee. Celtic are expected to make an offer for McCowan, who is seen as a valuable addition to their squad as they prepare for the demands of both European and domestic competitions. McCowan’s versatility and experience in the Scottish Premiership make him a strong candidate to bolster Celtic’s midfield options.

Celtic have already made significant moves in the transfer market, securing the £9.5 million signing of Adam Idah on a five-year deal. The 23-year-old striker, who previously played for Norwich City, expressed his delight at joining Celtic, saying, “I think everyone knew where I wanted to be. It’s amazing for me, and I’m delighted to be back here.” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised the club for securing Idah’s services, highlighting the striker’s potential to be a crucial player for the team in the coming years. “The club has done brilliantly to secure this long-term deal for Adam. We’re investing in a player of quality who will be crucial for us over the next few years,” Rodgers said.

With Idah’s deal complete, Celtic’s focus now shifts to further strengthening their squad. The club remains in the market for a left-back, a striker, and a centre-half as they aim to build a team capable of competing on multiple fronts. The potential double swoop for Engels and McCowan would be a significant statement of intent from the Scottish champions as they look to maintain their dominance in the Scottish Premiership and make an impact in Europe.