22-Year-Old Celtic Player Set For A Possible Summer Move: Will Losing The Title Guarantee A Sale?
· Yahoo Sports
Celtic are staring down the very real possibility of losing their best midfielder this summer, and the result of the title race will likely decide whether Arne Engels stays or goes. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Engels’ consistently strong performances in Glasgow have made a move away more and more likely.
Visit moryak.biz for more information.
Celtic face summer reckoning as Engels edges towards the exit door
Brown pointed out that the financial reality of Scottish football makes it hard to say no to massive offers, noting that Celtic usually take the money when a substantial bid comes in. He mentioned that scouts from Nottingham Forest and other clubs will be watching Engels closely during the final stretch, doing their homework before deciding on a formal bid this summer.
Forest already put £25 million on the table on deadline day in February, which Celtic knocked back because they weren’t willing to let their star man go mid-season. Brown believes winning the Premiership is the big factor here; Champions League football gives Celtic the power to turn down even the most aggressive offers. Without it, he argues, it will be almost impossible to stop him from moving to a club offering football at a higher level.
“It’s difficult for Celtic to keep hold of their best players,” Brown told Football Insider.
“The way the game is in Scotland at the moment, if a huge offer comes in for somebody, chances are it will be accepted because they could do with the money.
“Whenever there’s a player performing at a high level for Celtic, it’s going to attract interest.
“So when we’re speaking about Engels, of course, there’s going to be interest in him, and clubs will be keeping a close eye to see how he does in the run-in.
“These interested clubs, Nottingham Forest and the rest, will send scouts to have a closer look at him and get all of the information they could possibly need.
“Forest made that £25million offer, so it’s clear they are big fans of his and I wouldn’t expect their interest to go away quickly if that is the case.
“If Celtic don’t go and win the league, it’s going to be difficult to keep hold of him. That’s the key for now: win the league and get into the Champions League.
“If they can’t do that, there are clubs who will be able to offer him the opportunity, and that’s when it becomes difficult to prevent a move.”
As of late April 2026, Celtic are second in the Premiership with 70 points, behind leaders Hearts. The title is still within reach, but it’s far from a sure thing. Borussia Dortmund have now joined Forest and Lazio in the race for Engels, and sources say the player is definitely open to testing himself at a top European club.
Does Celtic losing the title actually guarantee that Engels leaves this summer?
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 25: Arne Engels of Celtic take sa free kick during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
Honestly, no, and that’s an important distinction to make. Celtic still hold the cards because Engels is under contract until 2028. That gives the club plenty of breathing room in any talks. They could still hold out for a fee higher than the £25 million Forest offered, even if the title ends up at Tynecastle or Ibrox.
There’s no doubt Engels has real quality; he’s got great vision, stays calm on the ball, and chips in with goals. However, he can be inconsistent and has a bit of a worrying injury record. Interested clubs will be considering those risks carefully, especially if they’re expected to pay north of £25 million for a player who is still a work in progress.
The end of the title race changes how Celtic approach the negotiation, but it doesn’t change the contract. What really speeds up a sale is the player’s own head being turned. If Engels decides he wants out, the amount of interest means Celtic will be under massive pressure to sell. Fans deserve some honesty: losing out on the Champions League and losing their best midfielder in the same summer would be a massive step backwards.