Forest are running out of time in midfield search after improved offer is turned down, with Celtic insisting the 22-year-old is not for sale
Nottingham Forest have had a second bid for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels rejected, leaving the Premier League club facing a race against time to strengthen their midfield before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT.
An improved offer was swiftly turned away by the Scottish champions, who have made clear they have no intention of selling one of their key players.
Forest are keen to add quality and depth in the centre of the pitch ahead of the second half of the season, with midfield identified as a priority area alongside the search for a striker and a full-back.
Engels has emerged as a prominent target in recent days, but Celtic’s stance has remained unchanged despite Forest returning with a higher proposal.
An initial bid of £14 million was rejected over the weekend. According to Sky Sports, Forest followed that up with an offer worth £17.3 million, only to be informed once again that the Belgian midfielder is not available.
Evangelos Marinakis has moved decisively to beat Benfica to the signing of Brazilian winger André Luiz.
The 24-year-old joins from Rio Ave, another club owned by the shipping tycoon. https://t.co/YCkxRoaQFc #nffc #benfica #transfers
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O’Neill unwilling to let the player go
Celtic are understood to hope that the latest rejection will put an end to the speculation as the deadline approaches.
The response is a blow for Forest, who see Engels as a player capable of adding control and intensity to their midfield. At 22, he has become an increasingly important figure for Celtic and is viewed as central to their plans for the remainder of the season.
Celtic coach Martin O’Neill addressed the situation after his side’s 2-0 victory over Falkirk on Sunday, leaving little room for doubt about the club’s position. Asked about interest from his former club, O’Neill was emphatic.
“Honestly, I am telling you, I didn’t know anything about it. If they have done it, then they must have done it during the game,” he said.
“I would want it rebuffed, unless it was £100 million. And then I think the board would step in there. No, absolutely, I would rather keep him.”
So far, Forest have completed two signings since the window opened on January 1. Striker Lorenzo Lucca arrived on loan from Napoli to bolster the attacking ranks, while goalkeeper Stefan Ortega completed a move from Manchester City to add experience at the back.