Arne Engels set for Premier League, Forest leads race

Belgian midfielder Arne Engels, 22, is on the verge of a Premier League debut next season after a standout campaign with Celtic, with Nottingham Forest emerging as the frontrunner to sign him and potentially replace Eliot Anderson, whose £150 million move to Manchester City made him the league’s record transfer.

Engels departed Club Brugge after feeling opportunities were limited, then progressed via Club NXT to Augsburg before joining Celtic, where his performances attracted English interest.

Two clubs have made concrete approaches: Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, both signalling serious intent to secure the midfielder.

Beyond those, Tottenham, Fulham, AS Roma and Atlético Madrid have also placed Engels high on their scouting lists, indicating broad European interest.

Forest’s pursuit is linked to the departure of Eliot Anderson to Manchester City, a £150 million deal that turned the Forest side into a financially potent outfit.

The influx of that £150 million has bolstered Forest’s transfer budget, enabling them to target Engels as a direct replacement for Anderson.

Negotiations are expected to conclude next week or, at the latest, the following week, allowing Engels to join his new team for a full pre‑season preparation.