West Ham agree personal terms to sign £30m Nottingham Forest target

West Ham United are now confident about signing Nottingham Forest target Arne Engels, having agreed personal terms with the Celtic star.

Despite being relegated from the Premier League, West Ham are making progress in their pursuit of Engels, even though he remains of interest to Forest, after impressing for the Hoops since joining from FC Augsburg in the summer of 2024.

The Belgian has remained a regular member of the starting XI, recently making his 100th appearance in a Celtic shirt, during which time he’s picked up 17 goals and 22 assists.

In the opening two games of the 2026-27 Scottish Premiership campaign, the 22-year-old has one assist to his name, and he is averaging 2.0 interceptions per 90, which ranks him joint-first in Martin O’Neill’s squad, alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Callum McGregor waxed lyrical about his teammate at the end of the 2024-25 season too, saying: “That’s probably been the most impressive part of it is that Arne’s come in with a huge price tag, he’s settled so quickly and he’s managed to produce some unbelievable moments of football and will only get better as well, so to do it in his first season to get the recognition from the other players as well shows you that he’s a real talent and everyone thinks he’s a real talent.

“He just keeps going, keeps working hard, he’s the perfect profile for Celtic, and I’m sure there’s more to come for him as well, but an amazing first season and congratulations to him as well.”

As such, it would perhaps be a little surprising if the four-cap Belgium international were to move to the Championship, but the Hammers are now making progress in their pursuit.

West Ham locked in talks to sign Arne Engels

According to a report from Football Insider, West Ham are in ongoing talks to sign Engels, and they have now agreed personal terms on a move to the London Stadium.

Celtic are hoping to receive £30m for their central midfielder, having already knocked back a £25m bid from Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window.

Although £30m would be a large fee to pay for a Championship side, the Irons have raised plenty of funds this summer, with Mateus Fernandes their most notable sale at £85m, and they have displayed a willingness to spend big in the past.

West Ham may have to brace for yet another departure this summer too, with right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka now likely to join Aston Villa or Everton.

The Irons had been hoping to receive around £15m – £25m for the defender, but their negotiating position has been weakened after being relegated to the Championship.

However, Nuno‘s side have already prepared for Wan-Bissaka’s departure by signing Joel Veltman, with the Dutchman capable of playing at right-back or centre-back.