Nottingham Forest to make a fresh bid for Celtic’s top star as Atletico Madrid enters the competition.

Nottingham Forest are continuing to show strong interest in signing Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, although the Premier League side now face serious competition from several major European clubs, with Atlético Madrid among the latest teams to enter the race for the Belgian star.

Engels has developed into one of Celtic F.C.’s most influential players since joining the Glasgow giants from FC Augsburg in 2024. His impressive performances in midfield have attracted increasing attention from clubs across Europe ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has quickly become a key figure at Parkhead thanks to his energetic box-to-box style, technical intelligence and maturity in midfield. His ability to impact games in both attacking and defensive situations has made him one of the standout performers in Scottish football this season.

Having signed a long-term contract running until 2028, Celtic remain in a strong negotiating position. Nevertheless, the Scottish champions are reportedly preparing themselves for substantial offers, with Engels widely viewed as a player capable of taking the next step in his career sooner rather than later.

The Belgian international further enhanced his growing reputation with another excellent display in Celtic’s recent victory over fierce rivals Rangers F.C., once again underlining why so many clubs are monitoring his situation closely.

Nottingham Forest Determined To Reignite Transfer Pursuit

Among the clubs showing the strongest interest, Nottingham Forest remain one of the most persistent admirers of Engels.

Forest are already preparing for the possibility of losing influential midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has attracted significant attention following his performances in the Premier League. As a result, the club see Engels as a player capable of filling a potentially important void in midfield.

The Premier League side attempted to sign the Belgian during the January transfer window and are believed to have submitted multiple bids in an effort to convince Celtic to sell.

Reports suggest Forest’s offers eventually rose to around £25 million, but Celtic rejected every approach and remained determined to keep hold of one of their most valuable assets during the second half of the campaign.

That decision has ultimately proven beneficial for the Hoops, as Engels has continued delivering influential performances during the title run-in.

In 25 league appearances this season, the midfielder has contributed four goals and two assists while playing a major role in Celtic’s push to remain in contention for the Scottish Premiership title with only two matches remaining.

Forest, however, are not expected to walk away from the deal. Instead, the club are reportedly planning to return with fresh interest once the current season concludes.

Even uncertainty surrounding manager Vítor Pereira is unlikely to alter Forest’s admiration for Engels, with the midfielder still viewed as a priority target regardless of possible managerial changes.

Borussia Dortmund Enter The Race

While Nottingham Forest remain serious contenders, they are now facing fierce competition from elsewhere in Europe.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund are understood to be plotting an ambitious move for Engels as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of another Champions League campaign.

Dortmund manager Niko Kovač reportedly sees Engels as an ideal addition to his midfield options and believes the Belgian possesses the qualities required to thrive in the Bundesliga.

The German club are actively assessing their midfield situation ahead of the summer, particularly amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of Jobe Bellingham.

Bellingham has once again emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United F.C., meaning Dortmund may soon require further reinforcements in central areas.

Engels’ technical quality, composure in possession and physical presence have reportedly made him one of the leading candidates on Dortmund’s shortlist.

The Bundesliga side have developed a strong reputation for nurturing talented young players, which could make them an attractive destination for the Belgian midfielder should he decide to leave Celtic.

RB Leipzig And Lazio Monitoring Situation Closely

Dortmund are not the only German side tracking Engels closely.

RB Leipzig are also believed to retain strong interest in the player after previously monitoring him during the January transfer window.

Leipzig’s recruitment strategy has long focused on identifying young players with high potential before their market value rises further, and Engels appears to fit that profile perfectly.

The club’s scouting department have reportedly continued following his development throughout the season and remain impressed by the progress he has made since arriving in Scotland.

Interest is not limited to Germany either.

In Italy, S.S. Lazio are actively considering a move for Engels and are understood to rate the midfielder highly.

Sources suggest Lazio’s coaching staff are particularly impressed by the Belgian’s versatility and intelligence in midfield, qualities that could make him a valuable addition to the Serie A side.

The growing number of clubs involved in the race highlights just how highly regarded Engels has become across European football.

Interest from the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga demonstrates the scale of his rise over the past year and reflects his reputation as one of the continent’s emerging midfield talents.

Atletico Madrid Add Engels To Their Shortlist

Perhaps the most eye-catching development in the transfer saga is the growing interest from Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish giants are believed to have been closely monitoring Engels for some time and have now added him to their list of potential summer midfield targets.

Atletico are expected to strengthen in central midfield during the upcoming transfer window and see Engels as a player whose skillset could suit their tactical structure extremely well.

The club have reportedly been impressed not only by his technical ability but also by the rapid development he has shown since moving to Celtic from Augsburg.

Engels’ capacity to control the rhythm of matches, recover possession defensively and drive forward with the ball has caught Atletico’s attention.

His energetic style and tactical discipline are thought to align closely with the demands placed upon midfielders within Atletico’s current setup.

At 22 years of age, the Belgian also represents a player with significant room for further development, something that continues to increase his appeal among Europe’s elite clubs.

Should Atletico intensify their interest, they would likely become one of the strongest contenders for his signature given their status, resources and regular participation in European competition.

Celtic Facing Difficult Summer Decision

Back in Glasgow, Celtic supporters will naturally hope Engels remains at Parkhead for at least another season.

The midfielder has become a hugely important figure within the squad in a relatively short period of time and is viewed by many fans as one of the club’s brightest talents.

However, Celtic are also aware that substantial offers may soon arrive, and resisting bids from some of Europe’s biggest clubs could prove increasingly difficult.

The financial strength of teams across the Premier League and Europe’s top leagues means that even well-run clubs like Celtic can eventually be forced into difficult decisions when player valuations rise significantly.

Given the growing interest surrounding Engels, there is a strong possibility that the upcoming transfer window could spark a major bidding battle.

At just 22 years old, he already combines maturity, athleticism and technical quality in a way that suggests he is capable of succeeding at a higher level.

His performances this season have demonstrated that he can handle pressure, dictate games from midfield and contribute consistently in important matches.

Those qualities explain why clubs from multiple countries are now positioning themselves to potentially secure his signature.

Future Uncertain As Transfer Race Intensifies

As the summer window approaches, speculation surrounding Engels is only expected to increase further.

Nottingham Forest appear determined to revive their pursuit after failing to sign him in January, but the challenge they face is becoming considerably more difficult due to mounting interest from clubs competing at the highest level of European football.

Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Lazio and Atletico Madrid are all now firmly in the picture, creating what could become one of the most closely watched transfer races involving a Scottish Premiership player this summer.

For Engels himself, the coming months may ultimately present a career-defining decision.

Remaining at Celtic would provide continued stability, regular football and another opportunity to develop in a familiar environment. Yet the opportunity to move to one of Europe’s elite leagues and compete regularly at the highest level could prove impossible to ignore.

Whether he stays in Scotland or completes a blockbuster move abroad, one thing is becoming increasingly clear — Arne Engels is rapidly establishing himself as one of Europe’s most sought-after young midfielders.

Desmond cashes in: Celtic boss now open to selling Engels and the “exciting” O’Neill favorite

Martin O’Neill has managed to stabilise Celtic during his spells in charge, ensuring the club remain firmly in contention for the Scottish Premiership title as the campaign approaches its climax. With just three league fixtures remaining, the Hoops are only three points behind current leaders Hearts and still have a realistic chance of finishing the season as champions.

The title race remains incredibly tight, meaning every remaining fixture now carries enormous significance. Celtic know there is very little margin for error if they are to reclaim top spot before the end of the season.

A huge showdown against Rangers could ultimately define whether O’Neill’s side can complete the job. The fierce Glasgow rivals are set to face off at Parkhead later this summer in what is expected to be one of the biggest matches of the campaign.

Victory in that encounter could dramatically boost Celtic’s title hopes, while defeat would likely hand a major advantage to their rivals in the closing stages of the season.

Benjamin Nygren Has Been One of Celtic’s Key Players

One player who has consistently delivered for Celtic throughout the season is Benjamin Nygren. The Swedish attacker has become one of the most important figures in O’Neill’s squad and has played a crucial role in keeping the Hoops in the title conversation.

Nygren has scored 15 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, making him Celtic’s leading scorer in the league. Just as impressively, the Sweden international has not missed a single league fixture throughout the campaign, highlighting both his fitness levels and importance to the side.

The 24-year-old once again proved decisive in Celtic’s recent 2-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Nygren netted the winning goal to help his side secure another valuable three points in the title race.

Following the match, O’Neill was full of praise for the attacker and highlighted the value of a player capable of consistently finding the back of the net.

The Celtic boss explained that scoring goals is the hardest skill in football and praised Nygren for once again stepping up during a key moment for the team.

O’Neill noted that the forward had produced another crucial contribution by grabbing what turned out to be the winning goal against Aberdeen.

Celtic Open to Summer Sales

Despite Nygren’s importance to the team, fresh reports suggest Celtic could still be willing to part ways with the attacker during the upcoming transfer window.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, majority shareholder Dermot Desmond is prepared to cash in on Nygren this summer as the club look to balance their financial position ahead of next season.

The report also claims midfielder Arne Engels could leave alongside him, with Celtic potentially sanctioning a double sale if suitable offers arrive.

The possibility of both players departing in the same window would represent a major shake-up for the squad, especially considering their influence during the current campaign.

Premier League Clubs Monitoring Engels and Nygren

Engels is believed to be attracting serious interest from the Premier League after a string of impressive displays for Celtic.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly planning a move for the Belgian midfielder and could test Celtic’s resolve with an official bid during the summer.

Meanwhile, Nygren is also generating strong interest from England. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are both said to be monitoring the Swedish international closely ahead of the transfer window.

Because of that growing attention, reports suggest a double departure involving both Engels and Nygren “cannot be ruled out” in the months ahead.

Celtic are expected to weigh up the financial benefits of major sales against the challenge of replacing two important first-team players.

Losing Nygren Would Be a Huge Blow

Allowing Nygren to leave would undoubtedly come as a major setback for Celtic supporters given his influence this season.

The winger has not only been the club’s top scorer in the Scottish Premiership, but he has also produced consistently strong performances throughout the campaign.

His reliability, attacking quality, and ability to deliver during big moments have made him one of Celtic’s standout players.

Nygren has also received praise from former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in the past. Rodgers described the Sweden international as an “exciting” talent and spoke highly of his attacking attributes.

That reputation has only grown stronger following an impressive season in Glasgow.

The former FC Nordsjaelland player also collected the club’s Player of the Year award, underlining just how highly he has been regarded for his performances this term.

Celtic May Demand a Huge Fee

Given Nygren’s importance to the side, many fans would argue Celtic should only even consider a sale if an enormous offer arrives from one of his Premier League admirers.

Replacing a player capable of scoring regularly while remaining available every week would not be an easy task, particularly for a club aiming to remain competitive domestically and in Europe.

The same applies to Engels, who has become a highly valued part of the midfield setup and continues to attract growing attention from English clubs.

For now, Celtic’s focus remains on the title race and finishing the season strongly.

However, with transfer speculation continuing to intensify around two of their key players, the summer could become a hugely important period both on and off the pitch at Parkhead.

Whether Desmond ultimately decides to approve the departures of Nygren and Engels may depend on the size of the offers received and how determined the players are to pursue Premier League opportunities.

Until then, Celtic supporters will simply hope their stars can continue delivering in the final games of the season and help keep the club’s title ambitions alive.