BREAKING NEWS: Celtic make Belgian wonderkid, 20, who came through under Rangers boss Clement ‘their top… Read More 👇

Celtic make Belgian wonderkid, 20, who came through under Rangers boss Clement ‘their top… Read More 👇

Celtic are reportedly targeting a young Belgian talent as their next major signing this summer. The player in question is 20-year-old Arne Engels, who has been making waves in the Bundesliga with Augsburg. Engels, who came through the ranks under the guidance of Philippe Clement, is being touted as a top priority for the Scottish champions as they continue to strengthen their squad.

Engels, a versatile midfielder capable of playing across various positions, has already accumulated 50 Bundesliga appearances despite his young age, contributing three goals and nine assists during that time. His adaptability has seen him transition from a defensive midfield role to more advanced positions, including playing on the wing. This flexibility has not gone unnoticed by Belgium’s national team manager, Domenico Tedesco, who included Engels in his training squad ahead of Euro 2024, though he ultimately did not make the final roster.

Celtic have been active in the transfer market, having already secured goalkeepers Joe Hart and Viljami Sinisalo earlier in the window. They also bolstered their midfield by signing Paulo Bernardo from Benfica and agreed on a fee with Norwich City for striker Adam Idah. Now, they appear ready to further strengthen their midfield by pursuing Engels, with the potential transfer fee for the Belgian youth star expected to be between £6 million and £10 million.

Engels joined Augsburg from Club Brugge, where he was considered one of the most promising young players during Clement’s tenure as head coach. His development at Augsburg has been impressive, and the Bavarian club, which isn’t typically known for selling players for significant fees, might view cashing in on Engels as a lucrative opportunity.

Celtic’s interest in Engels comes at a time when the club has seen some changes in their midfield roster. Bosun Lawal recently departed for Stoke City, and Daniel Kelly has agreed on a pre-contract to join Millwall after a contract dispute with Celtic. Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops manager, expressed his disappointment over Kelly’s decision, revealing that the club had offered him a substantial contract that would have integrated him into the first team.

Additionally, the future of Matt O’Riley, a key player in Celtic’s midfield, remains uncertain. Atalanta has shown interest in O’Riley, submitting multiple bids, but none have been successful so far. This situation might further underscore Celtic’s need to secure a player like Engels, who could provide both immediate impact and long-term potential for the club.

Should Celtic succeed in signing Engels, it would be seen as a significant coup for the club, given his potential and the experience he has already gained in one of Europe’s top leagues. The move would also highlight the club’s ambition to continue competing at a high level domestically and in European competitions. The coming weeks will be crucial as Celtic looks to finalize their summer business and solidify their squad ahead of the new season.

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Chris Harvey Jr.

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