Celtic plotting move to sign bargain Engels replacement who Ange called “outstanding”

The dust is beginning to settle on Celtic‘s European failure. Just days after the Bhoys fell from 4-0 up to crash out of the Champions League qualifiers against LASK, many are still wondering just what happened in Austria.

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Alas, there is no rest for the wicked. With the transfer window set to slam shut on Tuesday, Parkhead chiefs are still eyeing reinforcements for Martin O’Neill‘s side.

To their credit, those at Celtic Park have already spent big to welcome Kasper Hogh – breaking their transfer record in the process – as well as Camilo Duran and others. Both players have instantly impressed and look primed to take the club to yet another Scottish Premiership come May.

But there are still some holes to fill. Defeat at LASK proved that O’Neill’s side are far from the finished product and that has seen targets like Yves Bissouma arrive.

The midfielder is still a free agent after leaving Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the last campaign, catching Celtic’s eye in the same way that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did back in January.

Many would be right to question Bissouma’s discipline in the past. He was left out of the Tottenham squad for persistent lateness last season and was dropped a season before after being caught inhaling laughing gas on social media.

Both times, his talent took him back into the Spurs squad. And that’s something no one can deny him. For all his past issues, Bissouma would be among Celtic’s best midfielders if he completed a move.

Celtic plotting move to sign Bissouma

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

As reported by African football journalist Lassana Camara, Celtic are now plotting a move to sign Bissouma. The former Premier League star is a free agent and represents a bargain opportunity for the Bhoys.

Unlike other deals this week, there is not a race against the clock to sign the 29-year-old.

Since he’s a free agent, Celtic can take their time to assess a move and will not be governed by the transfer window. Though they would need to have an open slot in their squad registration if they wanted to hand the midfielder an instant debut.

In terms of replacing Arne Engels, it’s clear that Bissouma would offer Celtic a better option out of possession, whilst allowing the likes of Mika Bauer to thrive on the ball.

It would be some business from Celtic if they managed to replace their midfielder, or perhaps even upgrade on him, without spending a penny.

What’s more, if Parkhead chiefs are looking for some validation, then they should look towards Ange Postecoglou. The former Celtic and Tottenham manager dubbed Bissouma “outstanding” back in 2025 and benefitted from the midfielder’s talent despite his clear disciplinary problems.