The latest Celtic transfer news with Nottingham Forrest and Crystal Palace reportedly set to rival each other for a current Hoops’ star.

Even without domestic football on the cards it’s still a busy period for supporters with the FIFA World Cup and summer transfer window both in full swing.

Celtic will be hoping to start making moves to strengthen their first team squad in the coming months after securing head coach Martin O’Neill on a contract extension. It won’t be just about bringing new faces in but current Celtic Park stars potentially leaving the Scottish champions as well.

One player appears to be drawing significant interest and apparently has more than one suitor in the English Premier League. He has even reportedly been identified as a like for like replacement for a player set to move for £120 million.

Celtic star has ‘ideal profile’ to replace £120m Man City bound midfielder as transfer race set to heat up

Arne Engels has already been linked with a summer move away from Celtic with Italian Serie A giants Napoli credited with an interest in the Belgian. However, they would likely face significant competition from not one but two English Premier League clubs with the Hoops expected to make a significant profit on the £11 million the spent to buy the 22-year-old in 2024.

A fee of £25 million has been touted as a starting point for the Belgium international’s services. Meanwhile, Celtic are said to have already identified potential replacements for the midfielder including Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Ivan Basic who is currently away with his country at the FIFA World Cup finals in North America.

The latest transfer news surrounding Engels comes from journalist Sacha Tavolieri who has reported on Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace being interested in signing the Celtic player. He has claimed that Forest have identified Engels as having the ‘ideal profile’ to replace Elliot Anderson who is currently being linked with a £120 million move to Manchester City.

Tavolieri posted on X: “Nottingham Forest & Crystal Palace are in for Arne Engels! NFFC see the Belgian as ideal profile to replace Elliot Anderson and wants to re-enter the race after previous attempt in January. CPFC are aiming to convince Engels & beat Forest to his signature.”

Celtic star has summer transfer suitors lining up amid talk of replacing England international

Elliot Anderson looks set to complete his £120 million move to Manchester City this summer. The former Newcastle United midfielder’s career has skyrocketed since his move to Forrest in 2024.

He is currently away with the England squad a the FIFA World Cup finals having chosen to play for the country of his birth over Scotland, who he represented at youth international level from under 16 all the way up to under 21. He was even called up to Steve Clarke’s senior squad at one point but withdrew due to injury before eventually deciding to switch his international allegiance permanently.

Celtic will hope that if Forrest do decide to pursue Engels as their replacement for Anderson that they can bank a significant transfer fee. If the Premier League side do bank £120 million from selling the England midfielder then they certainly will not be short of cash to splash.

Your next Celtic read: EFL Championship side want Celtic linked striker amid £3m transfer fee discussion