Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Augsburg prodigy Arne Engels, with Footballtransfers.com reporting that the 20-year-old midfielder is one of Celtic’s top targets this summer.
Arne Engels of FC Augsburg poses during the team presentation at the WWK Arena in Augsburg, Germany on August 2, 2023. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
Journalist Ronan Murphy wrote an exclusive report saying: “Manager Brendan Rodgers is also keen to strengthen his midfield and has reportedly targeted Augsburg’s dynamic midfielder Engels as a key addition to his squad.”
Ronan Murphy took to social media to express his opinion:
“Arne Engels would be a fantastic addition for Celtic. He has been phenomenal at Augsburg and at just 20 years old he is already one of the team’s most important players. The team should do everything in their power to get him.”
Arne Engels would be a fantastic addition for Celtic, having had a phenomenal spell at Augsburg and at just 20 years old, already being one of the team’s most important players.
They should definitely do everything in their power to help him win.#CelticFC #FCA https://t.co/pnc1xk7Pki
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) August 14, 2024
Manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to strengthen his midfield and is keen to see the 20-year-old Belgian player develop further.
The Scottish champions have already strengthened their midfield with the permanent signing of Paulo Bernardo this summer, but with a number of teams still interested in the likes of Matt O’Reilly and Reo Hatate, having a few more options in midfield would not hurt.
It’s no surprise that Engels caught Rodgers’ eye: his Augsburg side finished 11th in the Bundesliga last season, but the midfielder impressed so much in his 50 appearances that the Belgium manager brought the promising youngster to train with the senior national team ahead of the Euros.
He played in 50 league games last season, scoring three goals and providing nine assists, and is incredibly versatile, able to play as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder or even on the wing.
He is currently valued at around €9 million but this may be overly optimistic and Celtic, as is their wont, are likely to try for around half that price.
Millwall manager Neil Harris smiles ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and West Bromwich Albion at The Den on March 29, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
In other news, the Millwall manager last night confirmed the signing of a promising Celtic player. Celtic would prefer to move Daniel Kelly quickly rather than see him remain in cold storage at Lennoxtown for the rest of the year. A transfer fee of £500,000 plus a sell-on clause would be enough to see Kelly move to Millwall this summer.
Daniel Kelly in conversation with Brendan Rodgers, Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 28th February 2024. Photo: Mark Runacres/ShutterstockCLICK TO VISIT OUR NEW SISTER SITE CELTICSHORTS.COMHelp raise funds for the Celtic Youth Academy by taking part in the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery. You could win up to £25,000. The lottery costs £1 per week. More Stories / Breaking News