Nottingham Forest poised to hijack Celtic’s deal with West Ham.

Nottingham Forest emerge as fresh threat to West Ham’s pursuit of Celtic midfielder Arne Engels

West Ham United’s efforts to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels have been given another complication, with Nottingham Forest reportedly preparing to renew their interest in the Belgian youngster.

According to Football Insider, Nottingham Forest are in a strong position to challenge West Ham for Engels and could make another move for the midfielder after failing to secure his services during the January transfer window.

West Ham have already demonstrated their determination to land the 22-year-old by making two separate proposals to Celtic. Their latest offer is understood to have been worth approximately £20 million, although it was not enough to persuade the Scottish champions to sell.

Celtic have previously shown just how highly they value Engels. During the January window, the Parkhead club reportedly turned down offers reaching £25 million for the midfielder. As a result, Celtic are believed to be determined to extract the maximum possible fee before agreeing to his departure.

The Belgian’s age, technical ability and experience in Scottish football make him an appealing option, while his potential development could also offer West Ham significant long-term value if they complete the transfer over time.

Forest could therefore represent a significant obstacle for West Ham, especially because their financial position has changed considerably following Elliot Anderson’s huge £116 million transfer to Manchester City.

Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke expects the Midlands club to revisit their interest and believes it would be surprising if they did not make another attempt.

O’Rourke said he would be “very surprised” if Forest did not come back for the Celtic midfielder, highlighting the possibility that West Ham could face a genuine battle for a player they have been pursuing for some time.

The report also claims that West Ham are keen to accelerate their efforts to complete a deal, partly because they are aware of the possibility of another Premier League club attempting to hijack their pursuit.

However, from the outside, the Hammers’ negotiations have not exactly appeared particularly rapid. Their interest in Engels has been known for weeks, while Celtic have already rejected multiple substantial offers. With Forest now potentially ready to make their move, West Ham may need to decide whether they are prepared to increase their efforts and improve their proposal.

Engels has reportedly become one of West Ham’s principal midfield targets, with recruitment director Nils Koppen understood to be particularly familiar with the player and the Scottish market. Koppen’s knowledge of Scottish football has already played a role in shaping the club’s recruitment strategy, making the Belgian midfielder a logical target.

Their recent 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Portsmouth may have provided a positive result, but it did little to disguise concerns in the middle of the pitch.

The lack of creativity has been one of the recurring issues surrounding West Ham throughout the summer. The club have been searching for a midfielder capable of adding imagination, technical quality and greater attacking influence, and Engels appears to fit the profile they have been looking for.

Nevertheless, patience can eventually become a disadvantage in the transfer market. Having already seen two bids rejected, West Ham risk allowing another interested club to gain an advantage if they continue to hesitate.

Forest’s possible return for Engels could therefore force West Ham’s hand. If the City Ground outfit makes a serious offer and convinces Celtic that they are willing to meet their valuation, the Hammers could find themselves losing a player they have spent considerable time pursuing.

Such an outcome would represent a disappointing setback, especially given the apparent need for additional creativity in midfield. West Ham cannot afford to overlook opportunities to improve the squad if they believe Engels can solve one of their biggest weaknesses.

At the same time, there is no guarantee that Forest will actually make a concrete approach. Reports of renewed interest do not necessarily mean a formal bid is imminent, and West Ham may still have a clear advantage if they remain the player’s preferred destination.

There is also an argument that the Hammers should not allow the threat of competition to push them into overpaying. While Engels is an attractive target, West Ham may have other midfield options available who could provide better value for money.

Ultimately, the situation has become more complicated, but the outcome remains uncertain. West Ham still appear to be in front, yet Nottingham Forest’s financial strength and previous interest make them a credible threat. If the Hammers truly want Engels, moving decisively could now be essential. Otherwise, they risk watching Forest turn a long-running pursuit into a costly missed opportunity.