Glasgow Standoff: Celtic Reject £17.3m Engels Bid as Martin O’Neill Draws Deadline Day Line in the Sand
GLASGOW — The final hours of the 2026 winter transfer window have transformed Parkhead into a theater of high-stakes negotiations. The central protagonist of this deadline day drama is Arne Engels, the 22-year-old Belgian midfield maestro who has become the subject of an aggressive pursuit by Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
Late this morning, reports surfaced that Celtic have officially turned down an improved bid of £17.3 million for the playmaker. This follows a previous £14 million opening gambit from the English side that was dismissed out of hand on Sunday evening. The rejection signals a significant moment of resolve for the Celtic board and interim manager Martin O’Neill, as they prioritize silverware over a quick—and substantial—financial profit.
The “Sean Dyche” Factor and Forest’s Persistence
In Nottingham, Sean Dyche has identified Engels as the “missing piece” of his midfield puzzle. Forest have been scouring Europe for a player capable of providing elite set-piece delivery and technical composure, and Engels’ performances in both the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League have made him their primary target.
Despite Forest’s willingness to significantly increase their offer, they have been met with a brick wall in Glasgow. The £17.3 million figure represents a nearly 60% increase on the £11 million Celtic paid Augsburg for the player in August 2024. Under normal circumstances, such a rapid return on investment might tempt the “Hoops” hierarchy, but these are far from normal circumstances at Celtic Park.
Martin O’Neill’s “£100 Million” Ultimatum
If there was any doubt about Celtic’s stance, Martin O’Neill cleared it up with his trademark wit and defiance. Speaking to the press following a 2-0 victory over Falkirk, O’Neill was asked specifically about the interest from the Premier League.
“I would want it rebuffed, unless it was £100 million,” O’Neill joked to the Daily Record. “And then I think the board would step in there. But in terms of footballing value to this squad right now? He is not for sale.”
O’Neill, who returned to the club to stabilize a season rocked by managerial turnover, views Engels as indispensable. With Celtic currently trailing Hearts by six points in the league and a massive Europa League knockout tie against Stuttgart on the horizon, the manager believes that selling his most creative engine would be “sporting suicide.”
[Table: The Arne Engels Valuation Tug-of-War]
| Stakeholder | Position | Rationale |
| Nottingham Forest | Bid: £17.3m | Desperate for PL survival and set-piece quality. |
| Celtic FC | Rejected | Focusing on the title race and European knockouts. |
| Martin O’Neill | “Not for Sale” | Views the player as the “tactical heart” of the team. |
| Arne Engels | Professional | Under contract until 2028; no formal exit request. |
The Tactical Cost of Departure
Why is Celtic so reluctant to sell? The answer lies in the numbers. Engels has become one of the most efficient creators in Scotland, leading the league in “Expected Assists” (xA) from dead-ball situations.
With Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara arriving on loan to bolster the attack, O’Neill needs a provider who can feed them. Engels’ ability to dictate the tempo from deep and his chemistry with the existing squad are seen as assets that cannot be replaced in the final five hours of a transfer window. Furthermore, the club is already navigating the “advanced” final stages of a deal for Joel Mvuka from Lorient; the board is focused on adding to the squad, not depleting it.
The Pressure of the 7:00 PM Deadline
As the clock ticks toward the 7:00 PM cutoff, the ball is firmly in Nottingham Forest’s court. Will they return with a third “bombshell” offer that tests the resolve of the Celtic board, or will Sean Dyche turn to his backup options, such as Davide Frattesi or Yasin Ayari?
For the Celtic faithful, the rejection of £17.3 million is a statement of intent. It suggests that for the first time in several windows, the club is prioritizing the retention of elite talent over the realization of transfer value. In a season where the “Hoops” have already lost the League Cup final to St Mirren, keeping Engels is viewed as a “must-win” move for the board to regain the trust of the supporters.
Conclusion: A Day for Strong Nerves
Arne Engels remains a Celtic player for now, but in the volatile environment of Deadline Day, nothing is certain until the fax machines are turned off. If the club successfully holds onto their Belgian star while finalizing the Mvuka and Adamu deals, it will go down as one of the most successful—and expensive—winter windows in the club’s history.
Martin O’Neill is betting his season on the fact that Engels is worth more than £17.3 million on the pitch. By tomorrow morning, we will know if that gamble has the potential to pay off with a Premiership trophy.