Manchester City’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson should be setting alarm bells ringing at Celtic Park. Not because a deal is close, but because Nottingham Forest’s previous pursuit of Arne Engels means the domino effect could eventually reach Glasgow.
Forest spent much of last summer trying to prise Engels away from Celtic and only backed off after the Scottish champions stood firm.
If Anderson leaves the City Ground for a fee reportedly worth around £100 million, the circumstances around that chase could look very different.
Pick one player to sell for ‘£20m’ this summer. Engels or Nygren?
Who you picking and why, Celtic fans…
Celtic already know how highly Nottingham Forest rate Arne Engels
Forest did not make one tentative enquiry for Engels. They returned with multiple offers and were eventually linked with a package worth up to £25 million.
Celtic’s refusal to sell brought the saga to an end, but comments from Forest-connected journalist Lee Clarke recently reinforced that Engels was viewed as a genuine target rather than a panic buy.
That distinction matters.
Celtic should recognise what an Anderson sale could mean
Anderson has become one of Forest’s most important players, which explains why Manchester City’s reported interest carries such a significant valuation.
If Forest receive a nine-figure fee, replacing a key midfielder immediately becomes a priority.
More importantly, they would have the financial power to revisit targets that previously proved too expensive or difficult to secure.
Celtic have already seen Forest identify Engels as the answer
The recruitment work has effectively been done. Forest have already scouted Engels extensively, tested Celtic’s resolve and established what sort of fee might be required.
That gives them a head start compared with rivals who may only now be beginning to monitor the Belgian midfielder’s progress.
Celtic supporters should keep one eye on this developing story
None of this means a fresh bid is imminent. It also does not mean Celtic are preparing to sell one of their most valuable assets.
What it does mean is that the logic behind Forest’s interest has not disappeared. If Anderson leaves and a huge transfer fee lands in Nottingham, Celtic could quickly find themselves revisiting a story many assumed was over.
For now, the smartest approach is simply to watch what happens next. Manchester City’s interest in Anderson may ultimately have far bigger implications for Celtic than it first appears.
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