The Belgian playmaker was the subject of three bids from the Premier League side
06:00, 04 Feb 2026Updated 10:23, 04 Feb 2026
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Celtic fans might be a tad peeved their club didn’t slash the cash in the transfer window.
But Martin O’Neill reckons the Parkhead side made a major statement with one of the big deals that didn’t go through. The Hoops snapped up five loan signings in January – with Junior Adamu, Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur checking in on deadline day to join recent arrivals Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara.
Celts have options to buy Cvancara, Adamu and Mvuka in the summer but it was keeping hold of Arne Engels that O’Neill insisted proves his club means business. Nottingham Forest had a right go, mind you. Bids of £14million and £17m were immediately bounced.
But an offer of £20m – rising to £25m – could have turned a few heads in the boardroom – and the player’s.
O’Neill was adamant Celtic’s under fire chiefs refused to buckle though – and he also insisted Engels refused to take the huff either, despite the prospect of turbo charging his wage packet.
O’Neill said: “We all talk about statements from football clubs and half the time I don’t believe it.
“But I do think it is, because that was bid. To turn down that at this stage in January is really, really big.
“The consequences of that are really big. I never asked how they were making it up but let’s say it was £20m with £5m added-on and that was attainable, you’re talking about £25m and that is big.
“You know, one bid was coming in after another. And they joke about the £100m, but if it had been kept going… The board was keeping me informed of it.
“Honestly, they never came to me and said, ‘you know, what’s your thought on it?’.
“I just assumed that they would know what my thoughts were. One, it’s difficult to turn down, and two, the player would at least double or triple his wages that he gets here – and they are in the same (Europa League) competition as us.
“Arne seemed bright and breezy this morning. And I probably didn’t really want to talk to him! He didn’t kick up a fuss about it either, even though it came in late.
“I think that his agent was happy enough with the situation. He said that this is it, I think Arne is happy here, he wants to see what the season will bring at the end.
“Of course it’s tempting, it’s really big money for here. But they didn’t take their bait. So naturally, I’m really pleased. And we can re-look at things in the summertime.”
Arne Engels in training on Tuesday(Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)
There’s plenty of issues that will have to wait until the end of term. Celtic now have six loan players for a start, and several others out of contract.
Everything is on hold while the Hoops focus on hauling in Hearts at the top of the Premiership.
O’Neill might have secretly wanted more from the window and undoubtedly has his eye on other targets that got away.
But now the window is shut, he’s content with his lot and hoping his reinforcements can hit the ground running.
When asked if the new Bhoys knew what they were coming into, O’Neil said: “Good point. Good point. If they don’t, they soon will. Usually at this stage of the season you’re in a good position in the league and stuff like this here. It’s not the case this time.
“We’re chasing it down. We can, honestly. I know that old cliched phrase, we can only, we can really only look after ourselves now.”
O’Neill has tunnel vision but rivals Hearts and Rangers have also tooled up in January for the sprint for the line.
The Irishman is not too concerned about what’s gone on outside his own walls and he declared he was happy enough with the transfer manoeuvres, even if some punters have been less than convinced.
O’Neill said: “I’m not in control of what they’ve done. Who knows? Rangers and Hearts may have signed better players at the end of the day.
“I don’t know. I’m happy with what we’ve done, and I’m going to get on with it, really, and just try it.
“And even if it’s possible, which I think I can do, I think maybe I can try and improve the players – even the ones that we’re bringing in.
“So a few people coming in to help us here along the way, and even some of the lads who haven’t played regularly in their own teams, I think that should give us a bit of freshness. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Tim Williamson and Martin O’Neill(Image: SNS Group)
There’s also a sense of relief for the manager, after a month of having to be head coach, chief scout and director of football.
The 73-year-old will have to hope Celtic are covering the cost of his phone bill after weeks of leading the search for new players.
O’Neill could have been forgiven for looking weary the morning after the night before, but, instead, he bounded in to Lennoxtown with a spring in his step and the old glint in his eye, along with the usual hint of mischief.
When he spotted former charge – and Record Sport’s star columnist – Chris Sutton at the back of the press room ahead of tonight’s Aberdeen clash, he couldn’t resist the chance of a wind up.
He said: “I’ve gone up there with Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, a lad called Larsson, and never had an easy game…”
There was a serious relief at getting back to the football though.
O’Neill said: “I’m actually quite pleased it’s over, really I am. Scrummaging around, trying to get players that you think can improve the squad, and improve it a lot, hence us trying to buy some players here that I think would suit the football club for the foreseeable future.”