Celtic are firmly focused on incomings for the rest of the transfer window.
With Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara in the door, the club have shown that good things can be done in the winter window… albeit via loans.
Shin Yamada left the club on Tuesday, but aside from fringe players, Martin O’Neill won’t want to devote too much attention to the exit door.
Few Celtic players have been linked away this month, but one who has is Arne Engels, with Bundesliga heavyweights RB Leipzig showing interest.
With Amadou Haidara out of favour under new boss Ole Werner, Leipzig were said to be targeting a midfielder this month – but we now have an update on their plan.
Can Celtic afford to sell Arne Engels?
RB Leipzig make decision on Celtic man Arne Engels
It was reported earlier this month that Engels was on Leipzig’s list, alongside Ardon Jashari and Rocco Reitz.
Reitz was said to be the priority, with Engels and Jashari the ‘alternatives’.
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It would be hard to begrudge the Belgian that move given the serious doubt over Celtic’s immediate Champions League future… more importantly, though, it would add to an already-loaded to-do list for the Hoops in January.
Now, Sky Germany chief Florian Plettenberg reports that they are not planning a January move for Reitz, instead prioritising signing him in the summer.
This makes any potential January move for Engels unlikely, though the seemingly imminent departure of Xaver Schlager could change this.
Schlager has been linked with Celtic, though this was nothing more then a fanciful rumour about an established international Bundesliga player, he is said to be nearing a move to Juventus.
Engels is contracted until 2028, and has also been linked with Atalanta. He hasn’t been called up for Belgium in over a year, facing a real uphill battle to make their squad for the World Cup in the summer.
He has, however, re-established himself as a starter under O’Neill, contributing to three goals in four games since the interim boss’ return.
Is Arne Engels ‘hiding’ in a Celtic shirt?
How Arne Engels is feeling at Celtic
Despite dropping out of the Belgium squad, Engels is said to be happy at Celtic, according to fellow Sky journo Anthony Joseph.
He said: “Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is likely to stay despite interest from Germany.
“RB Leipzig enquired, but it’s understood Engels is happy at Celtic & wants to help the club retain the title.
“Engels is also believed to be really enjoying working under Martin O’Neill & his staff.”
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