Nottingham Forest are reportedly targeting Lucas Bergvall as their replacement for Elliot Anderson.
The news emerged on Thursday that Manchester City had agreed a £116 million club record deal to sign the midfielder from Forest; he is due to have a medical this week.
It had been said that, after targeting him with a £25 million offer in January, Forest wanted Engels as their Anderson replacement, but it has now emerged that this isn’t the case.
It still appears that Engels is on Forest’s radar, but their main priority to replace Anderson is Bergvall.
Lots of interest in Arne Engels. But will he leave Celtic?
Name your price for Engels if he leaves…💰💰💰
Nottingham Forest want Lucas Bergvall to replace Elliot Anderson
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Forest have identified Bergvall as the man they want to replace Anderson.
The Swedish midfielder won’t be short on suitors after rocking Tottenham with his wish to leave the club this summer.
READ MORE: Fans notice bizarre Celtic silence ahead of pre-season launch
It is also reported by John Percy of The Telegraph that whilst Engels is on the shortlist, other targets are ahead of him, including Bergvall.
This could provide an opening for Crystal Palace, who are reportedly keen to convince the Belgian of a move to Selhurst Park.
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.
👀 A reasonable figure?
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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