Manchester City’s potential acquisition of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson could have a significant impact on Celtic’s summer transfer plans. Negotiations between City and Forest are ongoing, with City expected to submit a second bid after an initial offer was rejected, though Forest are reportedly seeking a fee exceeding €115 million for the 23-year-old England international.
Anderson is currently focused on the World Cup with England but is understood to be receptive to a move to the Etihad Stadium, which would mark the first signing under new manager Enzo Maresca. Manchester United also retain an interest in Anderson, but are believed to have conceded that a deal is unlikely unless City’s pursuit falls through.
According to Sky Sports, a sale of Anderson by Nottingham Forest would likely facilitate a move for Celtic’s Arne Engels. Forest previously made multiple bids for the 22-year-old Belgian midfielder in January, with offers reaching up to €30 million, but Celtic steadfastly refused to sell. Engels is now believed to be open to a transfer this summer.
Celtic may benefit from increased competition for Engels, as Fulham and Sunderland have also entered the race to sign him. Fulham have identified Engels as a key target despite currently being without a head coach. This heightened interest could potentially allow Celtic to secure a club-record sale fee for Engels, whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €13.1 million, and who is under contract until 2028. The increased attention could lead to a bidding war, maximizing the potential return for the Scottish champions.
The potential domino effect initiated by Manchester City’s interest in Anderson could therefore prove lucrative for Celtic, allowing them to capitalize on the increased demand for Engels and potentially reinvest the funds into strengthening their own squad.
