Overview
- Clubs have reached a deal reported as an initial £22m with add-ons taking the total to about £25m, and Engels traveled to London for a medical that could complete the transfer.
- If the reported figures stand, the fee would exceed previous English Championship spending highs and mark an unusually large outlay for a second‑tier club.
- Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirmed the medical and said he was disappointed by the timing because Engels will almost certainly miss Celtic’s Champions League play‑off against LASK.
- Celtic have already moved to recruit reinforcements, signing Mika Baur this week, and must now accelerate plans to replace Engels while also managing Alistair Johnston’s recent leg muscle injury.
- West Ham view Engels as a versatile, attacking midfielder who fits Nuno Espírito Santo’s plans and whose arrival follows substantial summer sales used to fund their push for immediate promotion.