This summer marked a significant change for Celtic as they made a major transfer move by selling superstar midfielder Matt O’Riley to Premier League side Brighton. This decision came after receiving offers from several clubs, including interest from esteemed European giants such as Atletico Madrid and Atalanta. With O’Riley now gone, Celtic are focusing on strengthening their squad in order to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title and make a mark in the newly formatted Champions League.
In their pursuit of bolstering their midfield, Celtic have honed in on 20-year-old Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels as their primary target. Despite facing an initial rejection of their offer, reports suggest that Celtic are on the brink of breaking their transfer record to secure Engels for a fee of 11 million pounds. This significant investment signifies the club’s belief in Engels’ potential and highlights their commitment to securing his talents.
Engels, a promising prospect, does present a certain level of risk given his limited starting experience at Augsburg. However, his on-field contributions showcase a well-rounded skill set, with notable defensive capabilities and creative playmaking attributes. Though Engels may not immediately replicate the impact of O’Riley, there is optimism surrounding his ability to develop into a key asset for Celtic in the long term.
The decision to pursue Engels at such a high cost underscores the club’s faith in his abilities and potential for growth. The upcoming season will reveal whether this investment pays off, but the signs point to a bright future for Engels at Celtic. Brendan Rodgers and the club’s decision-makers seem to have high hopes for the young midfielder, and only time will tell if their confidence is well-placed.
