Celtic reject £25m West Ham bid for midfielder Arne Engels

Celtic have rejected a £25 million transfer bid from West Ham United for midfielder Arne Engels. The Hammers identified the 24-year-old Belgian as their primary transfer target this window, but the Scottish club has turned down all offers for the player.

Celtic are maintaining a firm stance regarding the midfielder's future. The club intends to keep Engels available for their upcoming UEFA Champions League play-off fixtures. This position means any potential sale would likely be delayed until the final days of August, once the European tie is decided.

Engels has been a central figure in Martin O'Neill's squad. During the previous season, he recorded seven goals and eight assists in 46 appearances. His contributions included scoring a vital penalty to secure the league title against Hearts and making eight appearances in the Europa League. He also recently marked his 100th appearance for the club during a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock.

The decision to reject the £25 million offer comes as Celtic prepare for a two-legged Champions League play-off against LASK. The club is prioritizing the potential financial rewards and sporting benefits of the continental competition over the immediate profit offered by West Ham.

Engels currently forms a midfield partnership with Callum McGregor. Celtic's refusal to sell suggests the club views his presence as essential to their squad depth and stability heading into European competition.