Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has admitted that the club may have to sell players they want to keep.
He suggested that "one or two" players could leave before the transfer window closes. O’Neill is trying to keep the team's quality high while dealing with the financial challenges facing the Scottish champions.
Arne Engels is the player most linked with leaving Parkhead. The Belgian midfielder has caught the eye of several English clubs, with West Ham making an offer for him.
However, O’Neill confirmed that West Ham's offer did not match Celtic’s valuation of the 22-year-old. The club are reportedly looking for around £25 million for Engels. Nottingham Forest had a £25 million bid for the player rejected in January.
O’Neill did not mention Engels by name when discussing potential exits but acknowledged the difficulty in retaining players when substantial offers are made.
He told the club media: "The balancing act is actually to allow some players to leave the football club that in normal circumstances you wouldn’t want to. You’d really want to keep them as much as possible.
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"But obviously, the big prizes out there, financial prizes out there, it’s very, very difficult, more difficult than ever before, I think."
He added: "Then what you’re looking for then is to try and keep that quality up, even try and not just emulate it, but surpass it in many aspects with perhaps players who are not costing as much.
"That’s pretty difficult."
Engels has attracted interest from clubs south of the border and across Europe. O’Neill had previously said that the interest in Engels was expected given his strong performances. He also praised the player’s approach to matches.
Celtic have already strengthened their forward line this summer with the signings of Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, and Haissem Hassan.
They are expected to make more signings before the transfer window closes.
