Scottish transfer deadline: Celtic reject £25m bid for Arne Engels from Forest

Celtic have rejected a £25million bid for Arne Engels from Nottingham Forest, the Press Association understands.

After having offers in the region of £14m and £17m thrown out by the Scottish champions, it emerged on Monday afternoon that Forest had returned with a third bid of £25m for the 22-year-old Belgium midfielder.

However, the Hoops have turned down the opportunity to make a significant profit on a player they bought for £11m from Augsburg in August 2024. It remains to be seen if Forest will come back with an improved offer.

Instead of cashing in on assets, Celtic appear intent on bolstering their squad for the demands of being in a three-way William Hill Premiership title race as well as the Scottish Cup and the Europa League.

Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed on Sunday that deals to sign Freiburg forward Junior Adamu and Lorient winger Joel Mvuka were at an advanced stage, while the Hoops are also eager to add a defender.

If they can land a new centre-back, it could pave the way for Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell after he was recalled from a season-long loan at Fir Park in mid-January.

Elsewhere, Rangers boss Danny Rohl hopes to finalise a deal for Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi, who has reportedly arrived in the UK, but it remains to seen if the German club will sanction the sale this month or hold on to their top scorer until the summer.

In one of the most eye-catching moves of deadline-day so far, teenage Hearts forward James Wilson appears to be edging closer to making a loan move to Tottenham, after Jambos boss Derek McInnes confirmed that their north London rivals Arsenal had made an enquiry for the 18-year-old on Sunday.

Wilson, capped by Scotland, has been a peripheral figure this season although his departure may force Hearts – already without injured top scorer Lawrence Shankland – to step up their pursuit of a new forward, with McInnes previously having said a new arrival was unlikely.

The Premiership’s top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise continues to be the subject of speculation, with Belgian club Anderlecht reportedly joining the chase for the in-form Motherwell forward.

Hibs have completed the signing of 27-year-old former Borussia Dortmund right-back Felix Passlack from Bochum for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract. Croatian winger Ante Suto was also expected to check in at Easter Road before the deadline.

Falkirk announced the arrival of Aston Villa winger Ben Broggio on loan until the end of the season, with the 19-year-old becoming their third new January recruit.

Aberdeen have signed 27-year-old midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan from Hoffenheim, with an option to buy, while Adil Aouchiche and Leighton Clarkson could be on the way out.

Kilmarnock became the first club to announce a deadline-day signing as DR Congo international Aaron Tshibola – who had two loan stints in Ayrshire between 2018 and 2019 and then played for Killie again in the 2020-21 campaign – returned for a fourth spell at Rugby Park.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has spent recent seasons in Turkey and Greece, has agreed a contract until the end of the season.

Dundee have signed Dutch defender Lewis Montsma on a six-month deal from Lincoln, while Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin said there would “possibly be one going out and one coming in” at Tannadice.

There could be movement at St Mirren, who are reportedly in talks with Arsenal over selling Evan Mooney, while David Martindale’s first job as Livingston sporting director may be to look at replacing Mahamadou Susoho, who was recalled by Manchester City at the weekend.