Journalist Scott Burns has reported that Arne Engels is unhappy after Celtic rejected three bids from Nottingham Forest, with the situation now weighing on the midfielder as the window edges on.
Celtic have so far stood firm despite Forest returning again and again with improved offers. The club’s position has been clear in public, but the repeated bids have changed the mood around the player, who is watching interest from England grow without being allowed to engage with it directly.
30th December 2025; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic
Engels has been a regular presence in the side and has taken on more responsibility as the season has progressed. He is playing big minutes, often in games where Celtic need control and calm in the middle. That makes the timing awkward, especially when talk of a move is no longer quiet background noise.
Forest’s interest is not only about the fee. A move south would come with a clear wage increase and the chance to test himself in a different league. For a young player who has already made a strong impression, that sort of opportunity is hard to ignore, particularly when it feels close but out of reach.
Burns said: (Hotline Live), “In the last few minutes, the player is now at a stage where he’s quite unhappy with the situation.
“The fact that the numbers are now being floated about or put on the table shows it’s a substantial profit for Celtic.
“For the money they’ve made, it’s clear where the interest is coming from.
“As it stands, I think the player is a bit frustrated.
“He hasn’t been given the green light to talk to Nottingham Forest at this stage.”
At the same time, Celtic are keeping an eye on possible alternatives. Benjamin Tahirovic of Brondby is one of the midfielders they have looked at, with early contact taking place as a precaution. That interest only comes into play if Engels leaves, but it shows Celtic are not ignoring the risk of being caught short.
From Celtic’s point of view, the call is still about what happens on the pitch. Engels is not a player you can swap out easily halfway through a season when games are coming every few days. Letting him go now would force changes in midfield with no real time to bed someone in.
There is also the issue of control. Once a club allows talks to start, momentum can take over. Celtic have seen that before. By shutting things down early, they keep the situation on their terms rather than reacting to it.
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill (left) during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday February 1, 2026.
For Engels, the frustration is tied to timing as well as money. The interest from Forest is clear, the bids keep rising, and yet he cannot take the next step to even hear what is on offer.
With only hours left in the window, that tension is growing. Celtic are focused on keeping the squad strong. Engels is looking at a move that might not come around again in the same way.
