Roma Enter Engels Race with Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth Worth €30m

FolioPitch.com – 27 June 2026 | Roma have officially joined the competition to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, entering a three-way battle with Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. According to Belgian transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, the Giallorossi are prepared to meet the €30m valuation set by Celtic, sparking what promises to be a heated summer transfer saga. The move marks a significant step for Roma as they look to reinforce their midfield after securing Champions League football for the first time in seven years.

The Roma enter Engels race with Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth worth 30m narrative has been building for weeks. The 22-year-old Belgian international, who turns 23 in September, has been on the radar of Serie A clubs since his time at Augsburg. Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, now at Roma, had previously requested Engels when he was at his former club, and the Italian capital side now hopes to finally deliver his preferred target. Engels joined Celtic from Augsburg in the summer of 2024 for €13m, and his stock has risen sharply after an impressive debut season in Scotland.

This season, Engels has contributed seven goals and eight assists in 46 competitive appearances, showcasing his versatility as a box-to-box midfielder capable of playing on the right flank. His performances have attracted interest from across Europe, but the Premier League appeared to be the frontrunner until Roma’s late intervention. Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have both been monitoring Engels closely, with Forest reportedly needing to sell Elliott Anderson to Manchester City to raise funds. That deal could provide the necessary cash to match Celtic’s asking price, but Roma are now working to hijack the move.

Roma’s financial situation is complicated. The club must balance the books by June 30, meaning they cannot make a formal proposal until after that date. However, they are confident that player sales will generate the needed capital. The Roma enter Engels race with Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth worth 30m development has injected fresh excitement into the transfer window, with fans eager to see how the saga unfolds. Engels himself has four senior caps for Belgium and is seen as a long-term investment for any club.

Nottingham Forest’s interest is partly fueled by the potential sale of Anderson to Manchester City, which could net the club around £50m. That windfall would allow them to spend £25m on Engels, equivalent to roughly €29m, just shy of the €30m asking price. Bournemouth, meanwhile, are looking to add depth to their midfield after a solid Premier League campaign. But Roma’s entry adds a new dynamic, as the player might be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football and working under Gasperini, who has a track record of developing talent.

The race is far from over. Celtic are under no pressure to sell, as Engels is under contract until 2029, but the player’s ambition to play at the highest level could influence negotiations. Roma’s director Tiago Pinto is known for his ability to close deals efficiently, and the Roma enter Engels race with Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth worth 30m storyline seems to be accelerating. Belgian media outlets report that Roma have already made initial contact with Celtic, and a formal bid could follow after the financial deadline.

With the transfer window set to open in July, all eyes will be on Engels’ next move. Roma’s resurgence under Gasperini has been remarkable, and adding a player of Engels’ caliber could be the missing piece for their Champions League campaign. Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth are not backing down, but Roma’s history of signing young talents from Scotland—such as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and others—gives them a psychological edge. As the summer heats up, one thing is clear: the battle for Arne Engels is far from decided.

In conclusion, Roma’s decision to enter the fray has turned a two-horse race into a three-way contest. The €30m price tag is steep, but given Engels’ age, potential, and versatility, it could prove a wise investment. For now, fans can only wait as the clubs jostle for position, with the outcome likely to shape the respective campaigns of Roma, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth in the coming season.