Just like that, Arne Engels' time as a Celtic player is over. It feels like the fans might never have gotten to see the best of him.

Having arrived as the record signing in the summer of 2024, it felt like Engels took much of the first season to settle in. And his second campaign had injury-related stumbling blocks.

Despite that, Celtic have pretty much doubled what they had paid to sign Engels from FC Augsburg in just two years. He has joined West Ham United on a permanent deal.

The transfer fee is believed to be around £22 million. That is a record figure for a Championship signing.

Of course, Celtic will need to replace him. Mika Baur was signed recently. But it looks like the Hoops also have two more midfielders on their radar.

According to Anthony Joseph, Celtic have already drawn up a shortlist of potential targets to replace Engels.

Hajduk Split’s Niko Sigur and Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis are the prime targets for this position. A number of others are also being considered.

Neither is a new name though. Sigur was heavily linked earlier in the summer before his name faded away from the rumour mill for weeks. Yet, it looks like he has remained a target throughout.

Another name is Gineitis. Now, this is a name that has been constantly doing the rounds of the Celtic rumour mill for the last few months.

Both of them are talented players. It remains to be seen if Celtic end up signing either one of them. Of course, more are under consideration. So, do not be surprised if the replacement turns out to be somebody else altogether.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started the game against Dundee United today in place of Engels. And to be honest, for a good while, he was excellent.

He has not been the most popular figure amongst the fanbase as his performances in the second half of last season were not exactly consistent. But there can be no doubt about his ability.

The former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder did not seem to have 90 minutes of quality football in the tank though and faded away. Overall, the signs were positive.

Now, Celtic need to add another quality option there and they should be in a position to replace Engels. Who will that player turn out to be? Time shall tell.