Arne Engels ‘likely to be sold’ if Atalanta push transfer boat out to sign Celtic midfielder

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Speculation around the future of Celtic’s record signing Arne Engels has increased of late.

Engels was linked with a move to Serie A side Atalanta just months after securing a whopping £11m move from FC Augsburg to the Hoops.

Talk, of course, died down as the January transfer window closed and the season continued, with Engels going on to win his first Scottish Premiership title.

Now on the verge of a domestic Treble, it was reported that Atalanta still have Engels on their transfer shortlist heading into the summer.

Celtic are not in a hurry to sell Engels, while the man himself admitted it was the first time he’d heard of supposed interest from Atalanta.

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Celtic would want Engels transfer ‘guarantees’ from Atalanta

Now, in the latest development, the Daily Record’s Scott Burns has delivered an interesting update about what it would take for Engels to potentially leave Celtic for Italy.

Asked if there is anything in the Engels to Atalanta talk, transfer guru Burns replied: “Atalanta have been keeping a close eye on Celtic in recent seasons. They were keen on Matt O’Riley before he went to Brighton and they also like Engels.

“There have been big figures quoted and if the Italians were to come to the table at that level then Engels is likely to be sold.

“My understanding from O’Riley is that the bids were all staggered with a lot of the money reliant on future triggers. Celtic would want a deal with guarantees for Engels.”

Engels stats for Celtic this season

Engels arrived with big expectations due to his hefty transfer fee of £11m, a record for Celtic.

And that has probably not helped him across his debut season. There’s no denying Engels’ numbers for the Hoops, with 10 goals and 13 assists in 51 appearances so far.

Yes, many of those strikes are penalties, but you still require the nerve to place the ball down and convert into the back of the net – so there’s no doubting his cojones.

Engels was up for PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year award, but only just missed out on securing the prize to Motherwell’s Lennon Miller.

It’s been a steady first season for Engels, and Celtic will have zero interest in selling. But as Burns has said, perhaps if the price is right, the Hoops will seriously consider.