Serie A powerhouses are in £25 million transfer negotiations for Arne Engels, with the Celtic move dependent on two key conditions.

Italian side Lazio have reportedly begun discussions with Celtic FC regarding a possible summer move for midfielder Arne Engels, with developments suggesting growing interest from Serie A.

The Glasgow club previously rejected a substantial approach for the player earlier this year, but fresh reports indicate that the situation could evolve depending on several key factors in the coming months.

Celtic’s Record Signing and Strong First Season

Celtic made a significant financial commitment to secure Engels, paying around £11 million to bring the Belgian international to Parkhead in August 2024. The 22-year-old quickly became an important part of the squad, enjoying a productive debut campaign.

Across all competitions, Engels contributed 10 goals in 52 appearances, underlining his value as an attacking midfielder capable of influencing games consistently. His performances justified the club’s decision to break their transfer record to secure his services.

January Interest From Nottingham Forest

During the January transfer window, Engels attracted strong interest from Premier League side Nottingham Forest. The English club made multiple attempts to sign him, with offers reportedly reaching as high as £25 million.

Despite the significant profit that such a deal would have represented, Celtic firmly rejected all three bids. At the time, interim manager Martin O’Neill made it clear that the club had no intention of selling unless an extraordinary offer was presented.

This stance highlighted how highly Engels is valued within the squad, as well as the club’s desire to build around key players rather than cash in prematurely.

Injury Setback and Return to Action

Engels’ season was briefly interrupted by a thigh injury that sidelined him for nearly two months. However, he has recently returned to action, providing a timely boost for Celtic as they approach the latter stages of the campaign.

His recovery ensures he remains a central figure in the team, and it also maintains his visibility to potential suitors monitoring his progress.

Lazio Identify Engels as Key Target

According to reports emerging from Italy, Lazio have identified Engels as a priority target ahead of the summer transfer window. Club officials are said to be impressed by his performances and see him as a player who could strengthen their midfield options.

Discussions between the two clubs are believed to be underway, although no agreement has yet been reached. Lazio’s interest reflects their intention to refresh their squad and add creativity in attacking areas.

Potential Replacement for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

One of the driving factors behind Lazio’s pursuit of Engels is the uncertain future of midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The Nigerian international, valued at around £17 million, has attracted attention from clubs in both the Premier League and the Championship.

Should Dele-Bashiru depart, Lazio view Engels as a suitable replacement who could step into a similar role and provide attacking contributions from midfield.

Transfer Dependent on Maurizio Sarri Situation

Another important element influencing any potential deal is the future of Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri. The experienced manager returned for a second spell in charge at the beginning of last season and guided the team to a seventh-place finish in Serie A, narrowly missing out on European qualification.

However, there is uncertainty surrounding whether Sarri will remain in his position beyond the current campaign. Lazio’s league form has been inconsistent, leaving them 11 points adrift of the top six with only a handful of matches remaining.

The outcome of this managerial situation could play a significant role in determining whether the club proceeds with a move for Engels.

Lazio Still Competing for Silverware

Despite their league struggles, Lazio still have the opportunity to end the season on a positive note. They remain in contention in the Coppa Italia and are set to face Atalanta BC in the second leg of their semi-final clash.

With the tie finely balanced at 2-2, Sarri’s side still have a chance to reach the final and potentially secure silverware. Success in the competition could influence the club’s overall outlook heading into the summer.

Uncertain Outcome as Summer Approaches

At this stage, Lazio’s interest in Arne Engels is clear, but several variables will determine whether a transfer materialises. Celtic’s firm stance in January suggests they will not be willing sellers, particularly without a significantly improved offer.

Additionally, Lazio’s internal decisions—ranging from managerial stability to player departures—will shape their transfer strategy. Engels remains a highly regarded talent, and his future will likely be a topic of continued speculation as the window approaches.

For now, discussions appear to be in the early stages, with all parties waiting to see how the remainder of the season unfolds before making any definitive moves.

Alex Gogic condemns ‘disgraceful’ tweets following St Mirren’s defeat to Celtic

St Mirren FC defender Alex Gogic has come out strongly in support of his teammate Ryan Mullen following criticism that emerged after their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic FC.

Mullen found himself under scrutiny after making an early mistake that allowed Daizen Maeda to score within the opening minute of the match at Hampden. The difficult start was compounded when the goalkeeper later had to leave the field due to injury, resulting in a debut for 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius.

Daizen Maeda opens the scoring during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Dramatic Match Ends in Disappointment

Despite the setback, St Mirren showed resilience by overturning a two-goal deficit and forcing the game into extra time. However, their efforts ultimately fell short as they conceded four goals in a rapid six-minute spell during the additional period, bringing their cup run to an end.

Criticism and Accusations After the Match

In the aftermath of the defeat, Mullen became the subject of negative reactions from some supporters. Certain individuals accused him of overstating the severity of his injury, while others pointed to his past as a product of Celtic’s academy as a reason for suspicion.

These claims sparked frustration within the St Mirren camp, particularly for Gogic, who took to social media platform X to voice his displeasure.

Ryan Mullen is injured during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Gogic Condemns “Disgraceful” Comments

Gogic did not hold back in his response, describing the criticism directed at Mullen as unacceptable. He emphasised that Mullen is a committed professional who gives his all both on and off the pitch and made it clear that the goalkeeper had no desire to leave the game prematurely.

He acknowledged that mistakes are part of football, noting that every player experiences them—including himself. In Mullen’s case, Gogic explained that the goalkeeper initially tried to continue playing but was ultimately unable to do so because of his injury.

Disappointment With Fan Reaction

What particularly disappointed Gogic was that much of the negativity appeared to come from within the club’s own fanbase. He expressed frustration that supporters would turn on one of their own players in such circumstances.

Reinforcing the importance of unity, Gogic stressed that football is a collective effort, where both victories and defeats are shared. He insisted that Mullen does not deserve the criticism or accusations being directed at him and described the situation as deeply unpleasant.

Grant Tamosevicius comes on after Ryan Mullen is injured uring Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

A Difficult Moment for Mullen

For Mullen, the situation is especially challenging given his background. Having previously come through Celtic’s academy system, making a costly error against his former club on such a big stage adds an extra layer of difficulty.

However, such incidents are not uncommon in football. Even elite goalkeepers can make similar mistakes, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the position.

Perspective on Goalkeeping Errors

Modern goalkeepers are often expected to play a more active role in possession, which involves taking risks when building from the back. While this approach can be effective, it also increases the likelihood of errors.

St Mirren celebrations during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Recent matches have shown that even experienced players can have uncertain moments in these situations. These occurrences underline the importance of maintaining perspective when evaluating individual mistakes.

I have seen some disgraceful tweets about Ryan Mullen after the game yesterday. Ryan is a top goalkeeper and gives everything on and off the pitch and by no means did he want to leave the pitch yesterday. Every player makes mistakes it comes with the job and I’ve made plenty.… pic.twitter.com/LzEJ6TPfWT

— Alexander Gogić (@Gogic13) April 20, 2026

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, the focus for Mullen will be on moving forward and regaining confidence. With support from teammates like Gogic, he will hope to put the incident behind him and continue contributing to the team.

In football, setbacks are inevitable, but how players respond to them often defines their resilience. For Mullen, the next challenge will be to bounce back stronger and prove his value once again.