West Ham agree personal terms with Arne Engels - but what about their negotiations with Celtic?
West Ham United are stepping up their pursuit to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels.
The 22-year-old is a concrete target for the Hammers as they look to reinforce their engine room.
With the Irons cashing in on Mateus Fernandes, Nuno Espirito Santo is clearly in need of more creativity in the middle of the park.
Engels has agreed personal terms at the London Stadium and the next step is finding a solution with Celtic.
The Glaswegian outfit signed the Belgium international for £11million from Augsburg and he has been a key player for them ever since.
Last season, the midfielder scored seven goals and provided eight assists in all competitions for the Hoops.
What Celtic are doing after West Ham move for Arne Engels
West Ham Zone have covered reports of Celtic turning down £25million for Engels from Nottingham Forest in January.
It appears that the Hoops are now willing to negotiate the Belgian youngster's sale from Parkhead.
According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plenttenberg on X, the Hammers are in club-to-club negotiations with the Glaswegian outfit for the midfielder.
At the same time, Celtic are also in talks with SC Paderborn to sign German midfielder Mika Baur, possibly as a replacement for Engels.
Why Nuno Espirito Santo needs Arne Engels at London Stadium
Fernandes' exit from West Ham has left a void in the creative department for Nuno.
Crysencio Summerville's move to Al Hilal hasn't done the Portuguese manager any favours either in regard to his attacking prospects in E20.
Right now, the likes of Freddie Potts, Tomas Soucek, Soungoutou Magassa, Mohamadou Kante and Jame Ward-Prowse are Nuno's senior midfield options ahead of next season.
The 52-year-old head coach clearly lacks someone in his ranks capable of providing an edge in the engine room.
It makes sense for the Hammers to pursue Engels as their first summer signing to address the issue at the London Stadium.
The situation will be worth watching closely as the Irons hope to convince Celtic without having to pay over the odds for the midfielder.