West Ham United are preparing to return to Celtic with a significantly improved offer for midfielder Arne Engels as they attempt to finally prise the Belgian international away from the Scottish champions.
The transfer saga has taken another dramatic turn, with reports suggesting West Ham are ready to increase their proposal to a package worth around £30 million, including potential promotion-related payments. The latest development could place Celtic under enormous pressure to decide whether to retain one of their important midfielders or accept a substantial offer.
The situation is particularly intriguing because Celtic have already rejected approaches for Engels.
West Ham’s persistence, however, suggests they have not abandoned their interest.
Instead, the English club appear prepared to return with an offer that could test Celtic’s resolve.
West Ham refuse to give up
West Ham’s interest in Engels is not new.
The Hammers identified the Belgian midfielder as a potential solution to their midfield problems earlier in the summer, particularly following the departure of Mateus Fernandes.
Their recruitment structure has also undergone changes, with Nils Koppen brought into the club’s recruitment operation.
Koppen has extensive knowledge of the Scottish market and has reportedly been monitoring several Celtic players. Engels emerged as one of the strongest targets because of his age, versatility and experience.
Initial approaches were not enough to convince Celtic.
The Scottish champions made it clear that Engels would not be sold cheaply.
That stance has now been tested again.
Reports indicate that West Ham are preparing an offer that could reach around £30 million if certain conditions are met, with a guaranteed fee reportedly around £25 million and additional payments linked to promotion.
For Celtic, that is a very different proposition from the earlier bids.
Celtic’s valuation of Engels
Celtic have already demonstrated that they are willing to reject significant money for Engels.
Earlier in 2026, Nottingham Forest made multiple attempts to sign the Belgian, with their final proposal reportedly worth up to £25 million.
Celtic rejected the offer.
BBC Sport reported at the time that Forest’s initial £14 million bid and subsequent £17 million proposal were both turned down before the club returned with an offer potentially worth £25 million.
That decision showed just how highly Celtic valued Engels.
It also demonstrated that the club were not desperate to sell.
The midfielder had already become an important part of the squad, and Celtic believed his contribution on the pitch was worth more than the immediate financial return.
Now West Ham are presenting the club with another major financial decision.
Why West Ham want Engels
West Ham’s interest makes sense from a footballing perspective.
The club are rebuilding after relegation and need midfielders capable of controlling games, creating opportunities and providing energy.
Engels possesses several qualities that make him attractive.
He can operate in central midfield and contribute from set pieces, while his ability to move the ball forward provides another dimension.
His statistics from the previous campaign also underline his attacking contribution. Reports credited him with seven goals and eight assists in 46 appearances for Celtic last season.
For a West Ham team preparing for Championship football, those numbers could be extremely valuable.
The Championship demands physicality and consistency, but technical quality can make a huge difference over a long season.
West Ham believe Engels could provide that quality.
The Championship factor
One of the most interesting aspects of the proposed move is that West Ham are currently outside the Premier League.
For many players, moving from Celtic to a Championship club might not appear to be an obvious career step.
West Ham, however, are likely to present the transfer differently.
The club have substantial financial resources, Premier League infrastructure and a clear ambition to return to the top flight immediately.
For Engels, the move could potentially offer regular first-team football and a central role in the team’s promotion campaign.
That could be attractive to a 22-year-old midfielder looking to establish himself at a higher level of English football.
Celtic face a difficult decision
The biggest question now is whether Celtic should accept the money.
A potential £30 million package would represent an enormous transfer fee for a Scottish club.
Celtic signed Engels from Augsburg for a reported £11 million in August 2024, meaning a sale in the region of £25 million guaranteed, potentially rising to £30 million, would represent a substantial financial return.
From a business perspective, it would be difficult to dismiss.
But Celtic also have sporting ambitions.
The club are competing for domestic trophies and preparing for Champions League football.
Selling an important midfielder immediately before major European fixtures could create a significant problem for Martin O’Neill.
Replacing Engels would also not necessarily be straightforward.
A club can spend £25 million and still fail to find a player capable of immediately replacing what it has lost.
Baur could hold the key
This is where the Mika Baur situation becomes particularly interesting.
Celtic have been pursuing the German midfielder for weeks, and the latest reports indicate that a deal worth up to £6.8 million is now close to completion.
The timing could hardly be more significant.
If Engels stays, Celtic could add Baur to an already competitive midfield.
If Engels leaves, Baur could immediately become one of the players expected to help fill the gap.
That could make the potential Baur signing even more important to Celtic’s transfer strategy.
The club may be preparing for both possibilities.
Engels has continued to perform
Despite the transfer speculation, Engels has continued to feature for Celtic.
That is important because it demonstrates that the uncertainty surrounding his future has not necessarily stopped him from contributing on the pitch.
His previous performances have shown why clubs continue to be interested.
BBC Sport previously highlighted a particularly impressive European display in which Engels created five chances and delivered eight crosses, with then-manager Brendan Rodgers describing his performance as outstanding.
His set-piece ability is another weapon.
For Celtic, losing that quality would be a significant blow.
For West Ham, acquiring it could provide an important advantage.
West Ham’s gamble
Paying a potentially club-record fee for a player while operating in the Championship would be a significant gamble.
West Ham would be betting on promotion.
If the club return to the Premier League, the investment could look very different.
Premier League television revenue, commercial income and increased player values would make a £25 million investment easier to justify.
But failure to secure promotion would create greater pressure.
That is why the proposed deal reportedly includes promotion-related bonuses.
It would allow Celtic to receive additional money if West Ham achieve their objective, while reducing some of the immediate financial risk for the English club.
Celtic supporters will have mixed feelings
For Celtic fans, the situation is unlikely to produce a unanimous reaction.
Some supporters will argue that a fee approaching £30 million is simply too good to reject.
Others will insist that keeping Engels is more important because Celtic have ambitions of competing in Europe and winning another domestic title.
Both arguments have merit.
The club’s previous decision to reject Forest’s £25 million offer demonstrates that Celtic have already shown a willingness to prioritise sporting strength over immediate financial gain.
But the latest proposal could be higher.
That changes the equation.
What could happen next?
West Ham are expected to push again.
Celtic will then have to decide whether their valuation has been met.
If the offer reaches the level currently being reported, negotiations could move very quickly.
The player himself could also have a role to play.
Engels has previously handled transfer speculation professionally, and reports earlier this year indicated that he did not make an issue of Forest’s interest when that move failed to materialise.
His preference will therefore be another factor to watch.
A transfer that could reshape both clubs
For West Ham, signing Engels would represent a major statement.
It would show that the club remain capable of attracting highly rated young players despite their current Championship status.
For Celtic, selling him would provide a huge financial boost but simultaneously create a sporting challenge.
The club would have to move quickly to strengthen the midfield, especially with Champions League ambitions demanding quality and depth.
And with Baur apparently moving closer to Celtic, the pieces are already beginning to fall into place.
The next few days could therefore be decisive.
West Ham have shown that they are prepared to increase their offer.
Celtic have shown that they will not simply accept the first proposal.
Engels remains at the centre of the story.
If West Ham’s latest offer reaches the reported £30 million mark, Celtic could be facing one of the biggest transfer decisions of their summer.
