By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has all but confirmed that West Ham are doing everything possible to make Arne Engels available for Sunday’s Championship opener against Burnley.
The Hammers finally agreed a £22million deal with Celtic for Engels last night following a month-long pursuit of Nils Koppen’s number-one midfield target.
Speaking today, O’Neill revealed that the 22-year-old Belgian is already undergoing his medical and admitted his disappointment at losing the midfielder.
“He’s probably at this minute doing the medical. West Ham wanted him to be available for the opening day. Disappointed that he’s leaving. It’s an opportunity for him and it’s hard for him to turn down. He’s going to a really fantastic football club.”
The comments can be found via Celtic’s official website.
Engles will have his West Ham medical today
West Ham Racing The Burnley Clock
As Claret & Hugh explained earlier today, West Ham have until noon on Saturday to submit the necessary registration paperwork if Engels is to be eligible to face Burnley at Turf Moor.
Having flown down for his West Ham medical today, barring any complications, there should still be sufficient time to get everything completed.
Whether Nuno Espírito Santo would throw Engels straight into his starting XI is another matter.
The midfielder won’t have had the benefit of training with his new teammates and will barely have had time to learn everyone’s name before the trip north.
But given the creativity and progressive passing Engels should bring to West Ham’s midfield, having him available would certainly give Nuno another useful option.
First things first, though. Get the medical done and get the paperwork submitted.
The clock is ticking.
Well let’s hope he gets signed in time. The management team obviously think he can do a job for us. I have doubts on which I have seen personally I have doubts over his first touch. Hope I am wrong on that although he can pass a ball similar to Fernandes