Tottenham Hotspur have added Celtic midfielder Arne Engels to their list of potential summer signings, according to Football Insider sources.
The 22-year-old has been a standout performer in Glasgow, catching the eye of several major European clubs, including Premier League heavyweights. Spurs are now among those in the running, with Roberto De Zerbi continuing his aggressive approach to squad building. The latest Transfer Insider podcast noted that Tottenham’s interest has come as something of a surprise given the timing, but insisted it’s a real possibility worth taking seriously.
The move comes on the back of Spurs already committing roughly £185million to bring in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali from West Ham and Newcastle. Even so, De Zerbi looks set on adding further midfield depth, especially with talk that some existing players could be sold on.
Could a Bid Be on the Way?
Football Insider reported back in April that Engels was willing to leave Celtic this summer, with a number of European clubs keeping tabs on him. Tottenham may have joined the race late, but their track record of big spending suggests a deal isn’t out of the question.
Spurs’ midfield rebuild was widely seen as finished, but potential exits from the squad could see them return to the market — with Engels now on their shortlist. The podcast suggested Celtic will struggle to hold onto him past this summer, having already knocked back a January offer, and with more time to weigh his options, a switch to the Premier League seems likely. It also flagged that Tottenham’s interest is a bit of a curveball considering they’ve already brought in Tonali and Fernandes, but their continued activity in the market suggests they aren’t finished yet.
Plenty of Rivals in the Race
Tottenham’s interest doesn’t come without competition. The Belgium international is also being watched by Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, along with sides in Serie A and La Liga.
On the domestic front, Football Insider reported on 17 July that Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all lining up moves for Engels. Celtic turned down a £25million bid in January but are expected to be more open to offers this time around, keeping interested parties alert. Forest, who made that earlier approach, could return with a fresh bid, while Palace and Fulham are also expected to push hard for his signature.
