Arne Engels potential next club

Celtic are set to be faced with a major transfer decision this summer amidst growing Premier League interest in midfielder Arne Engels.

The Celtic hierarchy took a firm stance over Engels during the January transfer window as they rejected three bids from Nottingham Forest, the last reported to be worth £25 million.

Hoops boss Martin O'Neill was delighted by the club's decision to retain their star man whilst they battled for the Scottish Premiership title, but with a summer transfer window to find a potential replacement, the Glasgow giants may be tempted to sanction Engels' sale if the right offer comes in.

Celtic broke their transfer record to sign Engels from Augsburg for £11m in August 2024 and the Belgian midfielder has emerged as an influential player at Celtic Park, scoring 17 goals in 98 appearances for the Bhoys.

As a host of Premier League clubs lurk, we assess where Engels could venture next.

Nottingham Forest

Forest will be keen to ensure they're not displaced at the front of the queue after demonstrating a genuine interest in Engels with three successive bids.

Vitor Pereira's side preserved their Premier League status last season and view Engels as the type of signing to help them push towards the top half of England's top-flight again.

Engels will likely be a direct replacement for Elliot Anderson as the England midfielder is expected to leave the City Ground this summer.

Sunderland

Sunderland's recruitment strategy earned rave reviews last summer as they splashed the cash to build a balanced squad with complimentary profiles equipped for the Premier League challenge.

The Black Cats are expected to be busy again in the coming months as they adapt to the demands of European football and Engels is reportedly a player on their radar.

Competition is strong in the midfield department and Engels is a similar age profile to Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, demonstrating Sunderland's investment in younger players with a high ceiling.

Fulham

A summer of change is unfolding at Craven Cottage and Engels might be the type of signing to help kickstart a new era at Fulham.

Marco Silva has departed, and Kieran McKenna is the favourite to succeed the Portuguese coach. The talismanic Harry Wilson is expected to leave at the end of his contract and the Cottagers require investment across numerous areas of the pitch.

Fulham are reportedly admirers of Engels, although no offer from the west London club will materialise before a new manager is confirmed - and by then, it might be too late.