Written by Celtic have rejected a bid from West Ham United for midfielder Arne Engels, while simultaneously confirming their interest in the Hammers’ defender Ben Johnson. The news, which broke late on Tuesday evening, has sparked a flurry of speculation regarding a potential swap deal or separate negotiations between the two clubs as the January transfer window enters its final week.
Celtic’s stance on Engels is clear: the Scottish Premiership leaders have no intention of selling the Belgian internationalist for a cut-price fee. The bid, believed to be in the region of £8 million, was dismissed out of hand by the Parkhead hierarchy, who value the 21-year-old significantly higher. Engels only arrived at Celtic in the summer for a club-record fee of £11 million from Augsburg, and while his form has been inconsistent at times, the coaching staff view him as a key long-term asset. The club’s position is that any deal would need to at least match their initial outlay, and even then, they would be reluctant to part with a player who has shown flashes of brilliance in the engine room.
The rejection is a significant blow to West Ham, who are actively looking to bolster their midfield options following a difficult season. However, the London club’s interest in Engels appears to have opened a separate dialogue regarding Johnson. Celtic have confirmed that they are indeed interested in acquiring the 24-year-old full-back, who is out of contract at the London Stadium at the end of the current campaign. Johnson, a product of the West Ham academy, has found first-team opportunities limited this season under David Moyes, making a move to Scotland an attractive proposition for the player.
The two situations, while separate, are intrinsically linked in the eyes of the supporters. The prospect of a player-plus-cash deal has been mooted, though Celtic’s rejection of the initial cash bid suggests that the structure of any potential agreement would need to be heavily weighted in their favour. For West Ham, the logic is simple: they want Engels, and they have a player in Johnson who is surplus to requirements. Offering him as a makeweight could be the key to unlocking a deal, allowing them to reduce the cash outlay required to secure the Belgian’s signature.
However, Celtic’s confirmation of interest in Johnson does not necessarily mean they are willing to trade Engels to get him. The Scottish champions are known for their hard-nosed negotiating tactics, and they may well attempt to sign Johnson on a pre-contract agreement, which they are free to negotiate given his contract status. This would allow them to secure the defender’s services for free in the summer, negating the need to sacrifice one of their most expensive signings in January. The player’s preference will be crucial here; if Johnson wants to move immediately to secure game time ahead of the European Championships, he may push for a January transfer, but if he is content to wait, Celtic could get him for nothing in a few months.
From a tactical perspective, Engels’ arrival at Celtic was meant to add creativity and goal threat from deep. He has scored four goals in all competitions, but his integration has been hampered by the excellent form of Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate. Losing him now would leave Celtic thin in the middle of the park, especially with the Champions League knockout stages on the horizon. Manager Brendan Rodgers has publicly stated his desire to keep his key players, and the rejection of the West Ham bid reinforces that message.
For West Ham, the pursuit of Engels signals a shift in their transfer strategy. They are looking for younger, high-potential players who can grow with the squad, rather than the seasoned Premier League pros they have often targeted. Engels fits that profile perfectly, but they will need to significantly increase their valuation to test Celtic’s resolve.
The coming days will be pivotal. Celtic have the upper hand in the Engels negotiation, holding the player’s registration and having no financial pressure to sell. The ball is firmly in West Ham’s court. They must decide whether to return with an improved offer, potentially including Johnson as a sweetener, or walk away and look elsewhere. For Celtic fans, the confirmation of interest in Johnson is an exciting development, but the club’s firm stance on Engels suggests they will not be bullied into a deal that does not suit them. The transfer window has just become a lot more interesting.
