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By CALUM CROWE Published: 06: 55 AEDT, 20 January 2026 | Updated: 10: 29 AEDT, 20 January 2026 2 View comments Celtic midfielder Arne Engels has emerged as a transfer target for RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old became Celtic’s record signing when he joined from German side Augsburg for a fee of £11million in 2024. But Engels has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his time with the Parkhead club. Reports in Germany have now suggested that he could be offered an escape route back to the Bundesliga, with Leipzig weighing up a move to try and sign the Belgian international before the end of the January transfer window. With manager Martin O’Neill desperate to bolster his squad for the title run-in, any potential departures would likely cause further uproar amongst supporters. Celtic are poised to step up their interest in Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba as they seek to strengthen at the top end of the pitch. Reports in France have claimed that Bamba is the subject of a loan bid from the Parkhead club. It is understood that Celtic would have an option to buy the 24-year-old Ivorian in the summer. Arne Engels has blown hot and cold since arriving at Celtic from Augsburg for £11million Celtic are looking at a loan deal for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba in an effort to strengthen their squad for the title run-in Motherwell's Zimbabwean forward Tawanda Maswanhise remains a player of interest to Celtic Celtic have been linked with West Ham’s Callum Wilson, Hibs star Kieron Bowie, Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana and Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise so far in January. Of those names, it is understood that Bamba, Fofana and Maswanhise would be the most likely to join the club before the end of the window. O’Neill’s men laboured to victory against junior side Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup on Sunday. On the need for reinforcements, the Celtic boss said: ‘Hopefully we will get the players in before the end of the season. ‘We’ve a fair idea of what we need to do [in the window] and I want to get on with it. ’ Celtic had also been linked with a move for Leeds forward Joel Piroe last week, but that never got off the ground. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is determined to strengthen his squad for their title challenge It is understood that Leeds chiefs were baffled by Celtic’s enquiry, given that the Elland Road club share a direct connection to Rangers through the 49ers Enterprises ownership. It leaves Celtic still scrambling around searching for new players, with no recruitment structure in place whatsoever. O’Neill spoke last week about the club’s lack of expertise in this area, with the 73-year-old having to do much of the legwork himself. Celtic will be back in action next weekend when they face a pivotal clash against title rivals Hearts at Tynecastle.
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