Crystal Palace set sights on signing Arne Engels, Celtic 'resigned' to losing him

Crystal Palace are plotting a move to sign Arne Engels as Celtic are now prepared to let him leave this summer.

Nottingham Forest submitted a £25million offer for the 22-year-old during the January window, which was rejected as Martin O'Neill had no plans to lose key players mid-season.

However, Celtic are now believed to be open to his departure for the right price, placing Crystal Palace and a number of clubs across Europe on high alert.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, a similar big-money bid from Crystal Palace is likely to be enough as Celtic willl reinvest the funds.

The Eagles are bracing for a potential midfield reshuffle this summer, with Daichi Kamada's contract situation still up in the air, while interest in Adam Wharton remains strong.

Engels has been identified as a potential addition to Pierre Sage's midfield, with Palace keen to back their new manager as part of ambitious plans for the future.

Football Insider revealed on 19 June that Celtic are set to enterain offers for Engels this summer despite ruling out his departure during the mid-season window.

That decision paid off as Engels played a key part in winning the SPFL title and Scottish Cup, but there is now a feeling he could be allowed to move on and be replaced.

Crystal Palace are the latest club to join the race for his signature, while Nottingham Forest remain interested, as do a number of top clubs from the continent.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Obviously, the timing is better for any potential move for Arne Engels.

"They didn't want to let Engels leave, and his impact was shown in the final couple of months of the season when he came back from injury and played a key role in Celtic winning the league and the Scottish Cup as well.

"There's no shortage of interest in him, there have been a number of teams in Europe who have been keeping tabs.

"Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in him as well. So look, think if a big money offer does come in for Engels, Celtic will probably be resigned to letting him move on.

"For the player himself, if the chance to move to the Premier League comes about, I'm sure it's something that he would consider as well.

"So look, I think Celtic will be holding out to try and get the biggest fee they can for Arne Engels and then allow them to maybe spend money on their own transfer targets as well."

Engels is not the only midfielder Crystal Palace have identified to bolster their midfield, and while he remains a leading target, there are other options on their radar.

The addition of a new midfielder ranks highly on Sage's list of priorities as he begins to assess his squad for key areas to improve.

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Crystal Palace have begun preliminary talks with Jordan James following his return to Rennes from Leicester.

The 21-year-old spent the season on loan at the King Power, but following their relegation, has returned to the Ligue 1 club where he is now expected to move on permanently.

Palace's recruitment team have been keeping a close eye on his progress, and inital talks have been held over the possibility of a move to Selhurst Park.