Serie A side Roma have entered the race to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, joining Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth in pursuit of the Belgium international.
Belgian transfer pundit Sacha Tavolieri reports that the Giallorossi hope to secure the 22-year-old, who is valued at nearly €30 million. Engels only moved to Glasgow from German club Augsburg last summer for €13 million but has already attracted significant interest after an impressive debut season in Scotland.
The midfielder contributed seven goals and eight assists across 46 competitive appearances for Celtic. He is also capable of operating on the right flank, adding versatility to his profile. Engels, who turns 23 in September, has earned four senior caps for Belgium.
Gasperini connection strengthens Roma’s hand
Roma’s interest carries particular weight given manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s previous attempts to sign Engels. The Italian coach had requested the player during his tenure at Atalanta, and now hopes to finally secure his signature at the Stadio Olimpico following the club’s return to the Champions League.
The Giallorossi qualified for Europe’s premier competition after a seven-year absence, strengthening their appeal to potential signings. However, financial constraints complicate any immediate deal. The club must sell players before June 30 to balance their accounts, meaning any concrete proposal for Engels would likely materialise only after that deadline.
Premier League clubs hold financial advantage
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth remain strong contenders for Engels’ signature. Forest could benefit from additional transfer funds following the impending sale of midfielder Elliott Anderson to Manchester City, potentially boosting their ability to meet Celtic’s valuation.
Reports suggest Nottingham Forest would need to pay around £25 million (approximately €29 million) to secure the midfielder. Both English clubs can offer immediate financial packages without the selling restrictions currently facing Roma, placing them in a stronger negotiating position should Celtic decide to cash in on their investment.
Engels’ rapid rise since moving to Scotland has marked him as one of the most sought-after midfielders in the current transfer window, with his ability to play multiple positions making him an attractive target for clubs competing at different levels of European football.