Borussia Dortmund Target Arne Engels has set a deadline on when he will decide his Celtic future, with several clubs waiting eagerly.
Should Borussia Dortmund Try And Sign Arne Engels, If He Decides To Leave Celtic?
Arne Engels Impact At Celtic
The Belgian creative midfielder has been a massively influential player and helped in securing Celtic another Scottish League title the season just gone, dramatically on the final day against Hearts, who were top of the league for the majority of the season.
Now, while the last campaign can be considered a success from a team point of view, for Arne Engels himself, it was a more disappointing individual season compared to his debut campaign in Scotland.
In his first season in Glasgow, he set the league alight, scoring 10 goals and registering 13 assists in 52 games in all competitions for Celtic. This season, these statistics were lower, with Arne Engels scoring 7 goals and registering 8 assists.
However, a lot of this could be mitigated through what was a turbulent season for Celtic, with the club going through 4 different managers, with Martin O'Neill having two separate spells at the club just this season.
So, this constant chopping and changing of managers will not have helped any of the players, including Arne Engels, get any momentum or a run of form going.
What Has Been Reported?
It has been reported in recent days by the Daily Record that Arne Engels is to decide his future before pre-season begins, which could be as soon as June 26th, depending on when Arne Engels is due back in for pre season.
The report goes on to say that many clubs have shown interest, highlighting Nottingham Forest's rejected £25 million bid in January, as well as interest from clubs such as Sunderland, Fulham, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund, who have reportedly scouted the 4-time capped Belgian international.
So it is quite clear that the interest in Arne Engels is high, and he will not be short of suitors for his signature should he decide to leave Celtic.
How Would Arne Engels Fit Into A Borussia Dortmund Side, And Is He Someone The Club Needs?
Arne Engels has spent the majority of his career as a central midfielder, having quite a forward-thinking playstyle that, as shown by his statistics, makes a significant impact in the final third of the pitch.
However, this season, Arne Engels has found himself in a deeper role within the midfield, playing as part of a double pivot for Celtic.
This is a role that Borussia Dortmund are looking to strengthen, as Felix Nmecha, while still part of the club's plans, is being persistently linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund, and Jobe Bellingham and Carney Chukwuemeka are developing well, but still not the finished, well-rounded, final product.
Mark Smith-Imagn ImagesAnd with Julian Brandt's departure and Marcel Sabitzer entering the final year of his contract at the club, aged 32, Niko Kovac and the Borussia Dortmund hierarchy believe new players are needed in this area of the midfield, and Arne Engels could certainly fill that role.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesAuthor's Verdict
The signing of Arne Engels could be a shrewd piece of business for Borussia Dortmund if a deal can be struck at the right price.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old has past experience playing in the Bundesliga for Augsburg for three years before joining the reigning Scottish League Champions.
And while he did not set the world alight in the Bundesliga, he was significantly younger and still learning how to compete in senior men's football.
Therefore, if he were to make a return to the Bundesliga, he would undoubtedly return as a more complete player, with room still there for him to grow and get even better.
But Borussia Dortmund will not be interested in getting involved in a bidding war for the player, so if/when Arne Engels becomes available, if the club wants him, they must act fast.
