West Ham Near Deal for Celtic Midfielder Arne Engels

West Ham United is close to finalizing a deal to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, according to multiple reports on July 31, 2026. The 22-year-old Belgian international is poised to join the recently relegated Championship club in what would be a significant summer transfer.

The move follows a prolonged period of interest in Engels from several Premier League clubs, most notably Nottingham Forest, which saw multiple bids, including a final offer of £25 million, rejected by Celtic during the January transfer window. Interest from Forest has reportedly dwindled following a managerial change, while other English sides, including Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham, have also been linked. European clubs such as Roma, Atletico Madrid, and Villarreal have also monitored the player's situation.

West Ham, under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, are seeking to bolster their midfield following the £85 million sale of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham earlier in the window. The club is aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League after last season's relegation. Spanish transfer journalist Matteo Moretto reported that a deal is close, while Sky Sports News confirmed that talks...