With just two weeks of Celtic’s transfer window remaining, the club are juggling multiple incoming and outgoing deals.
The signature of Adam Idah has added a much-needed boost to Brendan Rodgers’ attacking firepower but there are plenty of other priorities in the squad.
One of those is sourcing a replacement for Matt O’Riley if the midfielder leaves the club this summer.
Last season’s standout is being pursued by multiple teams in England and across Europe, with the potential of a sizable bid beyond £25m that tempts Celtic to sell.
To that end, Celtic are looking at Augsburg talent Arne Engels – and a big money move is possible per reports this week.
Arne Engels fancies a move to the Bhoys
Sky Sports reports that the Germans value him at around £9m in the market, meaning he would be an expensive purchase by Celtic’s standards.
However, there is hope of a deal being done. Despite interest from elsewhere including French side Rennes, Engels is said to favour a move to Glasgow to play Champions League football.
Any move is dependent on O’Riley leaving the club this summer. So if the Danish international doesn’t make his switch, we won’t see Engels in Scotland.
Engels has an exciting profile
Still just 20, Engels has been a breakthrough talent in the Bundesliga over the last two seasons, making 51 appearances in total for Augsburg.
FotMob reckon he’s a midfielder who has an eye for goal and forward-thinking creativity in possession, looking to be something of a like-for-like replacement for O’Riley – albeit with lots of development to come.
Celtic are benchmarking their potential replacement for O’Riley at a quality level with other names such as Daniel Gazdag linked with a switch to the Bhoys this summer.
Many fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Celtic manage to retain O’Riley’s talent for another season but if he does leave then the club must delve into the market with a bit of ambition.
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