Arne Engels Celtic transfer spend puts paid to ....deal after bid...

Arne Engels Celtic transfer spend puts paid to Alvyn Sanches deal after bid lodged

Celtic Football Club has opted to end its interest in signing Alvyn Sanches from Lausanne Sport, despite having made a formal offer of £3 million just last night.

The club initially identified Sanches, a promising 21-year-old midfielder, as a potential addition to their squad. Celtic had been closely monitoring Sanches for several months, scouting him extensively during his time in Switzerland, where he has shown considerable promise.

However, despite this early interest and even after submitting a bid, Celtic has decided to withdraw from negotiations with Lausanne Sport.

The decision to step back from pursuing Sanches is largely influenced by the fact that Celtic managed to secure the signing of Arne Engels, another midfielder who they believe will sufficiently strengthen their squad. Engels’ transfer was agreed upon for a fee of £11 million, which was significantly higher than the club had initially anticipated. This sizeable investment in Engels reflects Celtic’s confidence in his ability to contribute to the team, and they now view him as their primary midfield reinforcement.

Engels is expected to play a crucial role in Celtic’s midfield, particularly as a replacement for Matt O’Riley.

O’Riley’s departure left a gap in the team that Celtic has been keen to fill, and with Engels’ signing, they feel they have successfully addressed this need. Additionally, Celtic also brought in Paulo Bernardo earlier this summer on a permanent basis, further solidifying their midfield options.

With both Engels and Bernardo now part of the squad, the club is satisfied with its current midfield composition and sees no need to continue pursuing Sanches.

Celtic’s decision to pivot away from Sanches also ties into their broader transfer strategy for this summer.

Having secured Engels, the club has now turned its attention to strengthening other areas of the team, particularly their defense. The Hoops are keen on bringing in a new centre-back to partner with Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is a key figure in their defensive line. Among their top targets for this position is Auston Trusty, a player they are actively pursuing.

The club views Trusty as an ideal candidate to bolster their defense, and they are prioritizing his acquisition as the transfer window deadline approaches.

Meanwhile, on the outgoing side of their transfer activities, Celtic winger Mikey Johnston is set to depart the club, with West Bromwich Albion emerging as the frontrunner to secure his signature.

Johnston, who spent the previous season on loan at West Brom, has attracted interest from several clubs. Both Sheffield United and Burnley had similar offers accepted by Celtic, but Johnston has chosen to return to West Brom, where he had a successful loan spell.

His preference for familiar surroundings and a club where he has already established a rapport likely played a significant role in his decision.

Johnston’s move to West Brom signals another step in Celtic’s ongoing efforts to streamline their squad and focus on players who align with their long-term strategy.

The decision to let Johnston go, despite interest from other clubs, indicates that Celtic is focused on ensuring that their roster is well-balanced and that each player is a good fit for the team’s overall objectives.

In summary, Celtic’s transfer activity as the summer window closes has been marked by strategic decisions aimed at building a strong and balanced squad.

While they initially pursued Alvyn Sanches as a potential midfield signing, their acquisition of Arne Engels and the presence of Paulo Bernardo have led them to shift their focus away from Sanches. Instead, they are now concentrating on reinforcing their defense, with Auston Trusty being their main target.

At the same time, Mikey Johnston’s departure to West Brom reflects Celtic’s broader efforts to shape a team that can compete at the highest levels.