If one of Europe’s rising talents is indeed on his way to Celtic this month, then that appears to be news to his current head coach.
Because, despite suggestions that the £9 million-rated Arne Engels would prefer a move to Brendan Rodgers’ Scottish Premiership champions than Ligue 1 outfit Stade de Rennais, Augsburg boss Jess Thorup is clearly not planning for an imminent departure.
Quite the opposite.
Ahead of Augsburg’s DFB Pokal clash with Viktoria Berlin this weekend and their Bundesliga opener against Werder Bremen seven days later, Thorup insists that the plan is not to sell Engels but to develop his talents even further in a more attack-minded role which best utilises his box-crashing potential.
Celtic eye Augsburg ace Arne Engels
“I had a few good discussions with him about it,” the former KRC Genk, Copenhagen and Denmark Under 21 coach tells Liga Insider. “The focus was on how we can make his game even more dangerous for the opponent.”
The Belgium youth star was nominated for the Bundesliga’s ‘Rookie of the Month’ award on a number of occasions during a superb 2023/24 breakout campaign.
One of the most versatile players in the division, Engels scored three goals and set up five more from a variety of different positions too.
Engels was utilised as a central midfielder most frequently, but also as a right-winger, a left-winger or a full-back on both flanks.
That remarkable flexibility – not to mention his pace, ball-carrying talents, two-footedness, aggression and creativity – is likely a major reason why Celtic appear so keen to bring him to Glasgow.
Sky Sports claim that Engels, if given the choice, would choose Parkhead over Rennes.
And while some supporters may be a little nonplussed by the claims that Celtic see Engels as a potential Matt O’Riley replacement, the comments Thorup made about shifting the 20-year-old into a more attack-minded midfield role should provide some sort of an explanation.
“He has the skills to play as a (number) ten,” adds Thorup. “He can score goals, as well as make deep runs. And he is fast. We have practiced that.”
Engels’ £9 million price-tag would put him amongst the three most expensive Celtic signings of all time.
Rodgers’ side have already completed a deal to bring back former loan star Adam Idah on a permanent basis from Norwich City this week. With add-ons included, Idah could exceed the £9 million fee Celtic paid to bring in Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain five years ago.
The Hoops boss is keen to warn fans, however, that finding a readymade replacement for their 2024 Player of the Year O’Riley may be easier said than done.
Brendan Rodgers could still lose Matt O’Riley
Brighton and Hove Albion and Europa League winners Atalanta continue to pursue the talismanic creator, HITC understands.
“I don’t think we can replace like-for-like,” Rodgers tells BBC Scotland, his Celtic side taking on Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.
“If he did leave, to get someone like that straight away would be very difficult. If he did go, it would be for big money and obviously we won’t be spending that on one player.
“I’m not overthinking it. He’s a gifted player that I love working with. His attitude is first class and he knows I trust him 100 per cent.”
HITC understands that Celtic were also keeping tabs on long-time target Riley McGree. The Australian has since signed a new deal at Middlesbrough, however.
The post 'Can score goals and he's fast': Manager explains why Celtic could replace O'Riley with £9m ace appeared first on HITC.
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