Forest’s Attempts to Sign Celtic and Middlesbrough Players Fall Short

Nottingham Forest’s offers for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney and Celtic’s Arne Engels were turned down on transfer deadline day.

Sean Dyche is looking to sign another midfielder following Douglas Luiz’s loan termination, as he has now joined Aston Villa.

Forest had a bid of around €20m (£17.3m) rejected for Celtic’s Engels, who has scored five goals and provided five assists in all competitions this season. He also has four caps for Belgium.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill stated he was unaware of the bid, adding that he would expect at least £100m to let the midfielder go before the deadline. O’Neill mentioned, “Honestly, I didn’t know about it. If they have, then it must have been during the game. I would want it rejected unless it was £100m. I believe the board would then intervene. No, I’d rather keep him.”

Forest’s bid for Hackney was also rejected. According to Sky Sports, Middlesbrough is keen to retain the player as they aim for promotion from the Premier League. Hackney has 18 months left on his contract with them.