Arne Engels has been heavily linked with a move away from Celtic this summer.
One of the teams most notably in for Engels’ services has been Nottingham Forest, who survived Premier League relegation last season, all while reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Those Engels to Forest links started in January. At the time, Sean Dyche was in the City Ground dugout, and he was replaced by Vitor Pereira.
But on Wednesday, the surprise news emerged from the Midlands that Pereira has left his managerial post at Forest, and he is set to be replaced by former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
From Celtic’s perspective, you just wonder if this changes the Premier League club’s stance and their chase for Engels’ signature.
Should Celtic fans be worried about O’Neill’s transfer comments?
Vitor Pereira leaves Nottingham Forest amid Arne Engels transfer links
Nothing will probably match how Brendan Rodgers left Celtic last October, but Pereira’s Forest exit has seemingly come as a surprise, not just to fans, but also to the man himself.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Pereira received ‘no call before his departure’ from Forest’s loudmouth owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Instead, it seems like the powers that be at Forest sent an email to the Portuguese coach confirming his abrupt and surprise exit.
Don’t be surprised if Forest still want Engels
It was utter chaos at Celtic last season, but Forest also live in their own madhouse, given how the no-nonsense Marinakis runs the club.
Don’t be surprised if Forest still want to sign Engels, because the initial links started when Dyche was in the dugout and it continued with Pereira.
Previously, it has been claimed that the Forest owner is perhaps a little too hands-on when it comes to transfer dealings, and probably offers players to his manager that they don’t want.
Perhaps he will do the same with Glasner.
But while Celtic don’t want to lose Engels, at the end of the day, if a club-record transfer sale is on the cards, then the club have to accept.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
