ARNE ENGELS SENDS CLEAR TRANSFER MESSAGE TO CELTIC AS DATRO FOFANA LAYS DOWN THREE NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES

Celtic’s record-breaking signing Arne Engels looks set to ignore growing interest from RB Leipzig, with reports suggesting the midfielder is fully committed to his future in Glasgow and determined to play a key role in delivering yet another league title for the Hoops.

The 22-year-old Belgian has quickly established himself as one of the most important players in the Celtic squad since arriving at the club. His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe, and Bundesliga heavyweights RB Leipzig are understood to be closely monitoring his situation. Despite that attention, sources close to the player insist Engels has no desire to rush into a move away from Celtic.

Instead, Engels is said to be extremely comfortable both on and off the pitch in Glasgow. He has settled well into life in Scotland and feels he is in the perfect environment to continue developing as a player. A big reason for that is the trust and responsibility he has been given by manager Martin O’Neill, who sees him as a central figure in the team’s long-term plans.

Engels is also believed to be thriving under the coaching staff, particularly Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, whose hands-on approach has helped him refine his game. The combination of regular football, tactical guidance and confidence from the dugout has allowed the Belgian international to play with freedom  something he values highly at this stage of his career.

Interestingly, Leipzig’s interest in Engels comes at a time when Celtic themselves have been linked with one of Leipzig’s midfielders. Reports suggest the Scottish champions are keeping tabs on Xaver Schlager, whose contract situation means he could become available on a free transfer in the summer. The 28-year-old’s potential availability has sparked speculation, but for now it remains a separate situation to Engels’ future.

From Celtic’s point of view, Engels’ desire to stay is hugely encouraging, especially with a demanding run of fixtures on the horizon. Martin O’Neill will be relying heavily on his midfield engine as Celtic prepare for important clashes against Bologna in Europe and Hearts domestically  games that could shape the direction of their season.

While ensuring key players remain committed, Celtic are also pushing ahead with their transfer business. The club is on the verge of officially announcing the signing of Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The deal is expected to be a loan move with an option to buy, and the striker is believed to be valued at around £7 million. Cvancara’s arrival would give Celtic more depth and physical presence in attack, something O’Neill has been keen to address.

Alongside Cvancara, Celtic continue to monitor the situation of David Datro Fofana as they look to strengthen their forward line further. The 23-year-old remains a player of strong interest, with O’Neill reportedly eager to bring in a second striker to compete for places and add goals to the squad.

Fofana is expected to leave Chelsea permanently during this transfer window, ending a spell that has seen him move between several clubs on loan since his switch from Molde. Despite the uncertainty of recent years, the forward has been very open about what he wants next.

Speaking candidly about his future, Fofana explained that his priority is not simply a big name or a high profile move, but a club with a clear plan. He wants a project built on trust, where he feels valued, is given consistent playing time, and shares the club’s ambition to progress and succeed. In his view, those are the conditions that allow a player to truly express himself and reach his potential.

Reflecting on his career so far, Fofana acknowledged that his journey has been far from straightforward. However, he believes the challenges and constant movement have helped shape his mentality. Rather than looking back with regret, he sees those experiences as lessons that have made him stronger and more mature.

He described his current mindset as one of “redemption,” not driven by frustration or anger, but by responsibility and growth. Instead of trying to erase the past, Fofana is focused on building from it and proving that, in the right environment, he can still become the striker many believed he would be.

As Celtic continue to juggle retention and recruitment, the commitment shown by players like Arne Engels  combined with smart transfer moves could prove crucial as the club pushes on in both domestic and European competitions.