Engels swapped Augsburg for Parkhead 18 months ago but has now been touted with a move back to the Bundesliga

Arne Engels(Image: SNS Group)

Arne Engels is reportedly a transfer target for RB Leipzig this month.

Celtic smashed their transfer record to sign the Belgium international from fellow Bundesliga side FC Augsburg for £11million back in August 2024 but the midfielder hasn’t been able to win over the whole fanbase at Parkhead with his displays, having registered 14 goals and 18 assists across 85 appearances in all competitions.

And it’s now claimed that Leipzig – who Celtic defeated in the Champions League last season – want to bring him back to Germany. Sky Germany report that the 22-year-old is on their radar along with AC Milan‘s Ardon Jashari. However, they add that the club will only move for the two players if they can’t get a deal for Borussia Mochengladbach’s Rocco Reitz over the line.

Leipzig are looking to bolster their midfield options amid talk that they are set to mutually terminate the contract of Austria international Xaver Schlager.

With just two weeks remaining in the January window, Martin O’Neill knows Celtic’s chances of retaining the Premiership title could hinge on their ability to get new players in the door. Record Sport revealed earlier on Monday that the interim boss is meeting with the Hoops hierarchy at Lennoxtown for a crunch transfer summit tonight as he looks to ramp up their recruitment drive.

Celts are in desperate need of reinforcements at the top end of the pitch and have been linked with a whole host of names. They are said to have launched a loan bid for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba but appear to have lost out on reported target Franko Kovacevic, who is poised to join Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros.

The Parkhead giants did make an enquiry about veteran West Ham frontman Callum Wilson, but the England international now looks set to remain in East London for the remainder of the season after bagging a priceless winner for the Hammers against local rivals Tottenham on Saturday.

They’ve also seen a potential move for Evan Ferguson shut down, with the misfiring Roma striker given a new vote of confidence by his club amid suggestions that his loan from Brighton could be cut short.

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