West Ham United are on the verge of completing a Championship record transfer after reaching an agreement with Celtic for Belgian midfielder Arne Engels, with the deal potentially worth more than £25million including add-ons.
The initial fee for Engels is reported at £22million, a sum that would surpass the previous Championship benchmark set when Burnley were obligated to sign Florentino Luis permanently from Benfica for £20.8million last July. The Portuguese midfielder was subsequently sold on to Ipswich Town.
Engels travelled to London on Friday to undergo a medical ahead of putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Hammers, according to Standard Sport. His arrival comes as West Ham look to strengthen their squad ahead of their first Championship campaign in 14 years, following relegation from the Premier League on the final day of last season.
The 21-year-old had attracted significant interest from elsewhere in English football, having been the subject of multiple bids from Nottingham Forest back in January. However, it is West Ham who have now won the race for his signature as they push to secure an immediate return to the top flight under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Engels' versatility is expected to be a key asset for the Portuguese head coach, who values players capable of operating in multiple positions. The Belgian international is comfortable playing in central midfield, out wide, or even at full-back, giving Nuno tactical flexibility across the pitch.
Since joining Celtic from German side Augsburg in 2024 as their then-record signing in an £11million move, Engels has established himself as a key performer for the Scottish champions. He has racked up 17 goals and 22 assists in 100 appearances across all competitions during his time at Parkhead, contributing to a haul of two Scottish Premiership titles and both domestic cup competitions.
The midfielder began his career at Club Brugge before making the switch to Germany, and has since earned four senior caps for the Belgian national team, though he was overlooked for selection in Belgium's squad for this summer's World Cup.
This deal represents a significant step-up in West Ham's transfer activity as the September 1 deadline approaches. The club had endured a sluggish start to their summer rebuilding effort despite banking substantial funds from a series of high-profile departures. West Ham generated over £150million through the sales of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham, Crysencio Summerville to Al-Hilal, and Freddie Potts to Club Brugge.
With those funds now being reinvested, the capture of Engels signals West Ham's intent to assemble a squad capable of mounting a serious promotion challenge. The Hammers will be hoping his proven pedigree in a title-winning environment at Celtic, combined with his positional adaptability, can help drive them back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Further additions are expected before the transfer window closes, as West Ham continue to reshape their squad following one of the most turbulent periods in the club's recent history. The Engels deal, once finalised, would stand as a marker of the club's ambition despite their unfamiliar surroundings in the second tier.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.