Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is once again drawing serious attention from Serie A, with Atalanta reportedly reigniting their pursuit of the Belgian playmaker after his debut season in Glasgow.
Engels, who joined Celtic from Augsburg last summer for a reported club-record £11 million, has faced a lot of criticism over the last year; however, the Serie A side clearly rate him very highly. The 21-year-old has delivered a respectable campaign, registering 10 goals and 13 assists over 52 appearances, establishing himself as a regular starter under Brendan Rodgers.
Atalanta had been linked with Engels previously, and their renewed interest comes amid growing uncertainty around the future of their Brazilian midfielder Éderson. The Serie A side are reportedly bracing for bids from multiple European heavyweights, with Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City all reportedly preparing offers in excess of €50 million.
Juventus and a number of Premier League rivals, including Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle, are also monitoring Éderson’s situation closely.
The expected windfall from an Éderson sale could significantly boost Atalanta’s financial firepower—and it’s believed they view Engels as a potential successor. However, Celtic are in a strong negotiating position and would demand a fee well north of £20 million for the club’s most expensive signing ever.
Given Engels’ age, output, and potential, the Celtic hierarchy are under no pressure to sell. But should Atalanta cash in on Éderson, the Italian club may test Celtic’s resolve with a sizeable bid.
With a contract that still has plenty of time to run until 2028, any deal would have to be on the Hoops’ terms. The coming weeks may prove interesting, particularly if the Premier League giants spark a bidding war for Atalanta’s Brazilian midfielder.
