Sources last night seemed unified in their agreement that West Ham’s pursuit of Arne Engels had entered its final phase with the £25 million plus add-ons bid made to Celtic for their Belgian International midfielder.
Even this morning there’s an upbeat flavour to reports with a sense that a deal is all but done between the two clubs.
There’s a catch though.
Whilst footballinsider proclaim:
“West Ham United are confident of agreeing a deal for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, (sources have told Football Insider). Negotiations are ongoing for the 22-year-old, who has already agreed on personal terms with the Championship side.”
The same big hurdle remains. Celtic have no pressing need to sell, no financial urgency and in fact will be doing everything in their power to keep hold of Engels until after their Champions League qualifiers starting next week.
So the Hammers can offer a record price (by a country mile) for a transfer into the Championship, more likely they’ll still have to wait to bring Engels on board.
As we wrote last week, West Ham’s need to buy isn’t matched by Celtic’s need to sell so theIrons are just going to have to sit on their hands and see if the player decides to agitate for a move (unlikely) or hope that the Scottish Champions get absolutely caned in their first leg Vs LASK on 19th August. For it seems there’s little Koppen can find in the way of leverage in the meantime.
I sense another case of preparing our excuses here.
In the meantime can we go sign Parrott rather then sit about on our hands
He’s not coming mate. He made that clear
For tit seems there’s little Koppen? more tea Lilley? Good to see that young Martin isn’t using AI to write his pieces.
just checking you are awake.
I want to know who Lilley is and why are they drinking so much tea 😂