Why Celtic must break their transfer record for Arne Engles

The 20-year-old midfielder has been the subject of vast amounts of speculation in recent weeks, thanks in part to the eventual departure of Matt O’Riley to Brighton for a record fee. Brendan Rodgers has been adamant that the Denmark international will be replaced – he was quoted as saying two were required – in this transfer window, which is coming to its natural conclusion in just a couple of days.

At the time of writing, Sky Sports have reported that Celtic have offered a bid of £10 million to the Bundesliga side, who finished in 11th place last campaign. This would eclipse the £9 million figure the club parted with to sign PSG’s Odsonne Edouard, following his successful loan spell back in the 2017/18 season.

The report also states that Engels’ current club are looking for more money to part ways with the player – an understandable position to be in considering Augsburg would need to identify and acquire a replacement for the versatile midfielder, the same position Celtic are in with O’Riley.

This all seems to point to a scenario where Celtic up their bid by a couple of million or so. Unfortunately, the club’s standing as a financially wealthy entity may well be their downfall when looking to pursue a bargain for the Belgium U21 international’s signature. Very publicly announcing their increased financial firepower to the London Stock Exchange will not go unnoticed or unheard in the world of football, after all. 

By all accounts, Engels looks and sounds like a player worth smashing your transfer record for. Coming from good stock in Belgium at Club Brugge – more specifically, Club NXT (their reserve team) – the midfielder has managed 53 appearances in all competitions for Augsburg since his move in January 2023. A virtual ever-present in the Bundesliga outfit’s engine room, Engels has shown versatility and adaptation, as he can play in both defensive and attacking midfield when required.

Speaking to German football expert Derek Rae a couple of weeks ago about the young talent, he spoke highly of Engels when pressed for an honest judgment on the player. Rae said: “Celtic would be getting a player with a lot of upside and with the ability to continuously improve year-on-year.

“What was immediately clear (when watching Engels) was that he was very good technically. He is a defensive midfielder but more like your modern defensive midfielder, so not a battering ram but someone whose timing is really important. He is someone whose technical game and fundamentals are at a high level.

“With Engels, Celtic would be getting a good all-round player. He’s highly thought of by people who watch the Bundesliga closely.”

Does that summation of Engels whet the appetite enough? With just a few days left to seal the deal, the club must do everything in their power to make sure the next appearance Engels makes on a football pitch is that of a Glasgow Derby.

Making your debut for Celtic against Rangers – talk about a baptism of fire for any new player making their way to Glasgow. While it remains to be seen whether the likes of Mateusz Bogusz and Auston Trusty of Los Angeles FC and Sheffield United will also potentially experience this upcoming cauldron of noise at Celtic Park, you get the feeling that Engels will be afforded this opportunity – IF a deal is made soon. New left-back Alex Valle, may well make his grand entrance in Scotland’s premier football fixture, but will Engels?

The club are at the stage, however, that ‘if’ is simply not good enough. Having put up a bid of £10 million for Engels, this would suggest that Celtic are serious about Engels – a player that Rodgers has earmarked as his ideal O’Riley replacement, according to reports in recent days. With the money earned from the Denmark player, coupled with the riches already at their disposal through other sales and Champions League participation, Celtic can afford to push the boat out to claim their target – that’s a fact.

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No two ways about it, this signing would – and should - be seen as a statement of intent if it transpired. It could even eclipse Rangers’ £12 million record signing of Tore Andre Flo back in 2000 if negotiations continue to be held between the two parties. That would certainly send out a message to the opposition – both domestically and in European competition.

Speaking of Europe, the move to Celtic for Engels would probably be down to this development - that of Champions League participation. Playing in a top-5 league like the Bundesliga is a very good level, but the midfielder will want to test himself against the elite teams on club football’s biggest stage. The fact that this campaign marks the first edition of the revamped competition will also likely be a big pull factor if Engels decides to make the move to Scotland. 

Rae agreed with this standpoint about Celtic’s attractive European pathway. He said: One of the pros (about this move) is that the prospect of Champions League football is not something to be sniffed at, especially if you are challenging yourself at the highest level.

“Also, Celtic Park speaks for itself with its atmosphere, and it is something that is spoken about in Germany, too. The lure of the Champions League could be a massive factor for somebody like him.”

As things stand, Celtic have just a few days left to seal Engel’s deal from Augsburg to the Scottish champions, just in time for a blockbuster game versus their greatest rivals this weekend.

For Rodgers, the team and their impatient but excited supporters, the club must do everything in their power to make sure this transaction occurs – by any means necessary.