MARTIN O’NEILL has given a transfer update on Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston who have been linked with moves to England.
The Celtic manager confirmed West Ham had made an offer for the £25million-rated Belgian midfielder that has immediately been rejected by the champions.
And O’Neill also admitted Everton were stepping up their interest in Canadian World Cup right-back Johnston.
The 74-year-old Hoops gaffer took time off preparing his squad for the Premiership opener against Dundee at Parkhead on Monday evening to address the situation about two of the club’s in-demand stars.
Engels, 22, who cost £11million when he signed from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg on deadline day in August 2024, has been linked with a hosts of clubs and Nottingham Forest failed to land him after multiple offers in the January window.
WANTED MAN…Arne Engels is being chased by English clubs.
Delivering an update, O’Neill, discussing the interest from the Hammers, said: “There’s been something put in that doesn’t remotely meet our valuation.
“It’s the same with Alistair, I think Everton have been in contact. I’m not sure if a bid has been put out. In fairness, David Moyes did call me last week to say there would be contact.
“I don’t know how far that has progressed.”
On the possibility of losing Johnston as well as Engels, O’Neill, speaking in a report in the Daily Record, insisted: “That would be disappointing, obviously, but it’s to be expected when players do well.
“We turned down a big Nottingham Forest offer at the last minute for Arne in January. He was alright with it.
“But if people’s ambition is to play in a big league, those things are difficult.
“Our job is to try and keep them. If that’s not possible, naturally we have to try and get replacements in.”
The Hoops team chief is unsure if Engels and Johnston will feature in the curtain-raiser against Steven Pressley’s Dens Park club and continued: “I don’t think anything will materialise over the weekend.
WANTED MAN…Alistair Johnston is a target for Everton.
“I haven’t had a conversation with the CEO, but I’d like them to be involved.
“Previously, I believe we had a situation when young Matt O’Riley was leaving. He trained like an absolute trooper and wanted to play the matches, too.
“So, hopefully, that will be the attitude of the players.”
Looking at the possibility of adding to the signings of strikers Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, the Irishman added: “It’s our job to get players in.
“I was hoping, as days passed, that there wasn’t going to be any serious interest. But we need players in, anyway, and we’re in the hunt for that.
“We’re getting close. I don’t know how close. But we’re definitely getting close.”
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