Celtic reject West Ham bid for Engels as Everton eye move for Johnston
Celtic stand firm on Engels valuation as Everton manager David Moyes calls O'Neill ahead of Everton making a move for Johnston.
Celtic have turned down an approach from English championship side for midfielder Arne Engels, with manager Martin O’Neill dismissing the offer as falling well short of the club’s valuation. Meanwhile, the 74-year-old has confirmed that Everton have made contact over right-back Alistair Johnston.
Engels bid “doesn’t remotely meet our valuation”
O’Neill said the Hammers had submitted a bid for the 22-year-old Belgium international but stressed it was not close to Celtic’s asking price.
“I think there’s definitely truth in that. There’s been something put in, but it doesn’t remotely meet our valuation,” he told reporters ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Premiership opener against Dundee on Monday night.
The club are understood to be using the £25m package Nottingham Forest were prepared to pay in January – including add-ons – as a benchmark for any deal, with O’Neill acknowledging it would be “really tempting” money for Celtic but insisting the board’s stance has been firm.
Everton in contact over Johnston
On Johnston, O’Neill confirmed that Everton manager David Moyes called him last week to say the Premier League side would be making formal contact about the Canada international.
“Everton have been in contact. I’m not sure whether there’s been a bid in there for that one, but they’ve been in contact saying that there would be,” O’Neill said.
The 27-year-old Canadian International, signed from CF Montréal in 2023 and is under contract with Celtic until the summer of 2029. After starring in this summer’s World Cup for his nation, Johnston has emerged as a target for English Premiership side Everton, as they look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new season.
O’Neill admitted it would be “disappointing” to lose Johnston but recognised the pull of the Premier League for players. Emphasising Celtic’s priority is to retain both players, but acknowledged that it would be a “difficult task” to replace them if they departed.
“Our responsibility is to try to keep them and do our utmost to retain their services,” he said, adding: “It’s difficult to stop people if their ambition is to play in a big, big league.”
He also revealed he has had “heart-to-heart” talks with Johnston, who he says is “perfectly happy” at Celtic but could have his head turned by a serious approach from a top club.
“He wouldn’t leave here for a second-class Premier League club, if there is such a thing, but if a big, big club comes in, it’s something you would have to look at,” O’Neill said.
Celtic’s recruitment and retention strategy is now being tested by renewed interest in two of their key assets, ahead of the all-important Champions League play-off tie later this month.