Celtic could be set to make a significant fee for Arne Engels with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest both actively interested in the midfielder.
A dozen top-flight European clubs have now been credited with an interest in the Celtic midfielder, who looks certain to depart this summer.
Engels was the subject of a £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest on Deadline Day in January, but unable to secure a replacement, the offer was rejected.
With a major rebuild on the horizon this summer, he is now set to command a similar fee.
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Crystal Palace aiming to convince Arne Engels ahead of Nottingham Forest
According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Forest are back in for Engels, but Palace are aiming to convince the 22-year-old.
The two clubs are set to spend big for the midfielder this summer, so it bodes well for Celtic’s bank balance.
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Remarkably, Forest see Engels as an ideal replacement for Elliott Anderson, who could be set to become Britain’s most expensive ever player as Man City try to negotiate his £120 million asking price.
Palace, on the other hand, are preparing for life under new boss Pierre Sage and are celebrating a Conference League triumph.
Fellow Premier League sides Sunderland and Fulham are also evaluating potential moves for the Belgian.
He doesn’t just have interest down south. Lazio, Napoli and AC Milan are reportedly chasing him in Italy, whilst RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund could bring him back to Germany.
Martin O’Neill was protective of Engels in January, insisting that the deal would only happen if the Parkhead hierarchy received a £100 million offer.
After an injury lay-off which kept him out for two months, he returned to the starting XI for the final few months of the season, putting in some of his best performances in a hooped jersey.
Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s Arne Engels
Forest’s bid in January was initially sent during Celtic’s 2-0 win over Falkirk, in which Engels played.
Asked about it after the game, O’Neill said: “Honestly, I’m telling you, I didn’t know a thing about it.
“If they’d done it, then they must have done it during the game. No, no, no, seriously. No, seriously, because I didn’t know a thing about it.
“And I’d want it rebuffed, unless it was £100 million. And then I think the board would step in then.”
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