West Ham are nearing the completion of a £22 million deal for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels. According to sources including Sky Sports, the clubs have settled on the transfer fee, and the Belgian midfielder is heading to London for a medical examination ahead of finalising the transfer.
Record transfer for the Championship
The £22 million price tag makes Engels' transfer the most expensive acquisition in Championship history. The relegated Hammers are demonstrating a determined effort to secure an immediate return to the top tier of English football.
Earlier this winter, Nottingham Forest expressed interest in the midfielder, but their £25 million offer was rejected by Celtic, who were keen to retain the key player until the end of the season.
Engels' role at West Ham and Celtic's search for a replacement
Last season, Engels made 46 appearances for the Scottish club, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists. The tall (185 cm) and technically gifted central midfielder is capable of operating effectively both as an 'eight' and deeper in a holding role. At West Ham, he will join a core of loyal players including Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Tati Castellanos, and Dinos Mavropanos.
Celtic have already started preparing for the Belgian's departure, having signed Mika Baur from Paderborn and showing interest in Torino's creative midfielder Guidas Gineitis.
Engels could make his debut for the London club in the upcoming Championship fixture, where West Ham will face Burnley.
