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Celtic reject West Ham Engels bid and confirm Johnston interest
Celtic have rejected a bid from West Ham for midfielder Arne Engels, with manager Martin O’Neill saying the offer fell far short of the club’s valuation. O’Neill also confirmed Everton have made contact over full-back Alistair Johnston, underlining Celtic’s challenge of retaining key players while strengthening their squad.
Engels, 22, previously attracted a £25m offer from Nottingham Forest in February, while Johnston, 27, joined Celtic in January 2023 and has become a regular for Canada. Celtic have already sold Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town this summer and signed forwards Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran; O’Neill said replacements would be difficult if further departures occur.
In short
- Celtic reject West Ham’s Engels approach.
- Everton have contacted Celtic about Johnston.
- O’Neill expects interest in key players.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Celtic can argue that rejecting an offer well below Engels’s valuation protects the club’s investment and its ability to compete, while retaining Johnston would preserve an established player and avoid the difficulty of finding replacements. With Maeda already sold, keeping key players could help the squad remain competitive as new signings settle in.
The case against
Celtic could argue that substantial bids for Engels or Johnston may be an opportunity to realise value, particularly if the proceeds fund several additions and strengthen the squad overall. Players’ careers are also short, so a move may benefit them, provided the club receives a fee that reflects their contribution and has time to recruit suitable replacements.
Explained simply
Celtic are a Glasgow football club that compete in Scotland’s top division and regularly play in European competitions. The club must balance keeping established players with bringing in new signings, while transfer fees and the timing of a move can shape those decisions.
Arne Engels is a Belgian midfielder who joined Celtic in 2024, while Alistair Johnston is a Canada international who plays at full-back. Martin O’Neill is Celtic’s manager; West Ham and Everton are English Premier League clubs. Celtic have already sold forward Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town and added Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, so further departures could leave the club needing to find replacements.