Exclusive: Nottingham Forest Plot Record-Breaking Fourth Bid for Celtic Star Arne Engels

Nottingham Forest are plotting a fourth and biggest-yet swoop for Celtic midfield sensation Arne Engels after seeing three January bids, £14m, £17m and a final offer rising to £25m, all rejected, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Forest boss Sean Dyche is understood to be desperate to land the Belgian international this summer, telling recruitment chiefs the all-action midfielder is the “missing part of the jigsaw” as Nottingham Forest battle through a difficult Premier League season.

Forest’s latest winter proposal fell short of Celtic’s valuation, but insiders say the City Ground club are already preparing a new bid expected to top £30m once the window reopens. 

Dyche has reportedly pushed hard behind the scenes, making Engels his No.1 transfer priority as he looks to rebuild a struggling midfield.

Engels’ rise in Glasgow explains the interest. Since joining Celtic from Augsburg for £11m in August 2024, the 22-year-old has made 89 appearances, helping the Hoops lift the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup last season. 

RELENTLESS

This campaign he has continued to shine, contributing goals, assists and relentless energy in the centre of the park, qualities Forest believe could transform their fortunes.

Forest’s recruitment drive has already been busy. The club secured a new left-back in January and are planning a summer move for a striker, while earlier attempts to sign Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi were also knocked back. 

But sources insist everything hinges on Engels, with Dyche convinced he can provide the balance, drive and creativity Forest have lacked.

The urgency is clear. Forest have endured a bruising league campaign, sitting 17th in the table after a run that has seen them lose double-figure matches, leaving the club locked in a tense survival fight, just three points above the drop-zone.

Too often Dyche’s side have been overrun in midfield battles, a problem the manager believes Engels can solve instantly.

COMPOSURE

One insider told SportsBoom: “The manager absolutely loves him. He thinks Engels gives the team control, legs and composure. He’s made it clear he wants the club to go back again in the summer and finish the job.”

With Celtic determined to keep their prized asset unless a massive fee arrives, negotiations promise to be tough. 

But Forest’s persistence, and Dyche’s determination, meaning the transfer saga is far from over, and the Reds look ready to splash serious cash to land their top target.