Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked with West Ham several times over the last year, now he’s going to be sick of the sight of them.
When West Ham were parting company with Celtic man David Moyes and then Julen Lopetegui, Brendan Rodgers was a name in the frame.
In fact Rodgers was reportedly one of the frontrunners to leave the east end of Glasgow for the east end of London to replace the Spaniard just a few months ago.
The Northern Irishman remained at Celtic Park, though, with the Hammers appointing Graham Potter instead.
Now it is his players Rodgers has to worry about joining West Ham.
Potter brought in Kyle Macauley from Chelsea as West Ham’s new head of recruitment.
And the pair are planning to completely overhaul the Hammers’ squad with a different profile of player being targeted – chiefly young, talented and hungry stars.
As anyone who followed the January window closely will know, one of those is Celtic’s Daniel Cummings.
Celtic star Cummings to West Ham as Potter eyes youth
The Irons had looked set to seal the signing of the hot prospect 18-year-old Celtic forward in the winter window.
West Ham were looking to sign Cummings on a pre-contract agreement as he is a free agent in the summer.
But the Hammers held talks with Celtic over a paid deal for the young Scottish forward at around £500k in order to avoid the need for a tribunal to set Cummings’ fee.
Rodgers raged at Cummings’ agent over the West Ham talks as it became clear Potter was closing in.
The Celtic boss pleaded with Cummings to show patience and stay.
Celtic will fear West Ham swoop for second star
It has since been claimed West Ham have a pre-contract agreement to sign Cummings all lined up.
West Ham have promised Cummings he’ll be part of the first team.
Now Celtic will fear a West Ham swoop for a second star as Potter’s right-hand man speaks out.
If anyone at West Ham knows a thing or two about top talents north of the border, it is West Ham assistant boss Billy Reid.
The Glaswegian coach is already a hugely popular figure at West Ham.
And he has highlighted another Celtic star he thinks is destined for a big money move away from Scotland.
Potter’s right-hand man Reid raves about Engels
Potter’s assistant told the Sunday Mail, print edition page 59, that supremely versatile 21-year-old star Arne Engels has caught his eye big time.
So much so, Reid thinks Engels is the ‘one player’ in Scotland who will play at the ‘very top’.
The Belgian can play both right wing and right-back as well as in central midfield – where he has been playing under Rodgers.
That is interesting as Potter’s top priority this summer is to sort out his slow, immobile midfield mess.
“Engels has impressed me,” Reid said.
“He’s the one player in Scottish football who I believe will play at the very top.
“Celtic paid £11 million for him but he will move on again for big money.”
Celtic’s versatile young Belgian is perfect for West Ham rebuild
If Reid is so blown away then it is almost a guarantee West Ham are going to be interested.
Especially given central midfield is such a pressing issue for the Hammers this summer.
Rodgers picked Engels up from Augsburg just last summer.
In his first season, the 6ft star has scored 10 goals and laid on 12 assists in 43 games for Celtic.
That kind of form has seen him earn four Belgium caps.
| Competition | Played | goals | Assists |
| UEFA Champions League | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Scottish Premiership | 27 | 9 | 5 |
| Scottish Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Scottish League Cup | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 43 | 10 | 12 |
Reid needs to be nagging Potter to go out and make a statement by bringing Engels to the London Stadium.
West Ham desperately need that kind of energy and goal contribution in the team.
And if Cummings is indeed on his way to West Ham this summer, at they will have a familiar face to settle into Premier League life alongside.
