Spurs weigh shock raid on Celtic for powerhouse Arne Engels

Tottenham are at it again. While the shopping list clearly reads “forwards needed — urgently,” the North London club are weighing a left-field move for Celtic’s Arne Engels, a midfielder widely lauded north of the border for his power and presence. Football Insider have flagged Spurs’ interest, and it’s certainly raised a few eyebrows given where the holes in the squad still lie.

Make no mistake, Spurs have been busy. Under Roberto De Zerbi, the recruitment drive has roared into life with reports of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali arriving. And yet, with the forward line still short, the notion of adding another midfielder is as intriguing as it is surprising.

Why Engels turns heads

Engels has been labelled “powerful” for a reason. He’s an all-action presence who eats up ground, wins duels and keeps the ball moving — the sort of engine-room operator who lets your flair players breathe. He was among Celtic’s standout performers as they clinched the Premiership title, showing the kind of consistency and bite that tends to translate well south of the border.

There’s also the tactical fit to consider. De Zerbi wants intensity in the press and bravery in possession; Engels ticks both boxes. He could rotate with the new faces, offer minutes in multiple roles, and keep the midfield level high when the schedule bites.

The numbers and the noise

Context matters. Nottingham Forest had a £25m offer knocked back in January, and the expectation is that fresh bids arrive this summer with the player open to a new challenge. Pete O’Rourke has suggested Celtic will struggle to keep him if the right proposal lands — logical, given the trajectory of the lad and the market’s appetite for athletic midfielders.

For Spurs, the kicker is price versus priority. Reports have them already committing around £185m to bolster the middle with Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, so dipping back in would be a statement. Valuable depth? Absolutely. Essential right now? That’s the debate.

Spurs’ attacking to-do list can’t wait

The drumbeat from Hotspur Way is clear: attackers top the agenda. Man City’s Savinho has emerged as the prime target, with other options bubbling away, and there’s word that personal terms with a new winger are already agreed. Add in the uncertainty over Lucas Bergvall’s future and you can see why the squad planners are keeping every door ajar — including a potential move for Engels if the numbers make sense.

If you’re tracking the market and eyeing how the odds shift on these moves, check the best betting sites for the latest prices — and remember: smart recruitment is about timing as much as talent.

Pundit’s verdict

Engels would raise Spurs’ floor — robust, reliable and Premier League-ready in style. But with goals the pressing need, this only flies if it’s a value play that doesn’t blunt the push for top-tier forwards. If the fee creeps north beyond that Forest benchmark, I’d expect Tottenham to keep their powder dry and fire the big bullets in the front line first. Sensible ambition beats scattergun shopping every time.