West Ham United have been handed an intriguing development in their pursuit of Arne Engels after Celtic reached a full agreement to sign another midfielder.
The news comes just hours after the Hammers were reported to be preparing a package worth up to £30million for Nuno Espírito Santo’s priority target.
ReadWestHam reported earlier on Wednesday that West Ham are ready to significantly increase their offer for Engels, with £25m guaranteed and further promotion-related bonuses potentially taking the total towards £30m.
Celtic have now strengthened the same area of their squad.
Celtic agree Mika Baur deal as West Ham chase Engels
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has confirmed that Celtic have reached a full agreement with SC Paderborn for Mika Baur.
The 22-year-old central midfielder is set to cost €8m (£6.9m) including bonuses, which represents a record sale for Paderborn. Baur is travelling to complete his medical before signing a contract with Celtic until 2031.
Celtic’s move for Baur has developed while uncertainty continues around several of their existing midfielders, including Engels and Reo Hatate. Reports have previously differed over exactly where the German fits into their plans, so it would be premature to describe him definitively as a direct replacement for Engels.
The timing is nevertheless significant for West Ham.
Alan Nixon reports that the Hammers are preparing to return with a guaranteed £25m offer plus substantial promotion bonuses as they attempt to finally convince Celtic to sell Engels.
Celtic remain determined to keep the Belgium international through their Champions League play-off against LASK, and Baur’s arrival does not automatically change that stance.
It does, however, give Martin O’Neill another midfield option at precisely the point when West Ham are stepping up their pursuit.
With Baur now heading to Glasgow and West Ham preparing their biggest Engels offer yet, the next move from Celtic could prove decisive.
