When Manchester City’s interest in Elliot Anderson first emerged, the obvious Celtic angle was Nottingham Forest’s previous pursuit of Arne Engels.
At the time, it felt like a situation worth monitoring rather than one demanding immediate concern. The latest developments have changed that.
Reports from Fabrizio Romano claim City have now submitted a package worth £106 million plus £15 million in add-ons for Anderson, while Forest are reportedly holding out for more than £120 million.
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The original Arne Engels concern for Celtic now looks more realistic
The argument was never that Forest were preparing a fresh move for Engels. It was that a major Anderson sale could eventually put them in a position to revisit a player they clearly admired.
Forest’s interest in the Belgian was genuine. Multiple bids were rejected by Celtic, including a final package reportedly worth up to £25 million.
If Forest eventually receive the sort of fee currently being discussed for Anderson, they would have significantly more financial flexibility than they did during that pursuit.
That does not guarantee another approach, but it certainly makes the possibility easier to understand.
The latest update only strengthens Celtic’s reason to watch
Alex Crook’s latest report may be just as important as Romano’s. Manchester United are reportedly unwilling to enter a bidding war for Anderson, leaving City as the club pushing hardest to get a deal completed.
From a Celtic perspective, that matters because it keeps the focus on whether Forest can secure the nine-figure windfall they are demanding.
Engels has only enhanced his reputation since Forest last came calling. The Belgian produced 46 appearances, seven goals and eight assists during the 2025/26 campaign and remains under contract until 2028.
No one is suggesting a bid is imminent. Equally, the logic behind Forest’s interest has not disappeared.
If anything, the latest Anderson developments have made the concern raised previously look far more credible than it did a week ago.
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