Martin O’Neill has revealed the Celtic board single-handedly rejected a “very tempting” offer of up to £25m for Arne Engels, admitting he had spoken to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who is out of contract.

Parkhead sign 24-year-old Austrian striker Junior Adamu 20-year-old Brentford central defender from Bundesliga club Freiburg Benjamin Arthur and the 23-year-old Lorient winger Joel wakes upall on loan and all on the transfer deadline day.

Meanwhile, the Celtic board, which has been heavily criticized by a sizeable section of fans over its leadership, rejected the offer. Three offers for 22-year-old Belgian midfielder Engels.

Sky Sports News have confirmed that Premier League club Nottingham Forest want to pay a guaranteed fee of £20 million, with £5 million in add-ons.

Speaking ahead of the second-placed Hoops’ trip to Aberdeen for a Scottish Premiership match on Wednesday night, sky sports live“That’s a lot of money here,” O’Neill said. That’s a lot of money.

“Personally, I’m delighted that the board turned it down. It was really tempting and I have to admit it came at a very, very late stage. It’s a huge credit to them.

Wednesday, February 4, 7:00 p.m.

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“He didn’t make a fuss about it either, even though it was late.

“Of course it’s tempting, it’s really a lot of money here.

“But they (the board) didn’t take the bait, so naturally I’m delighted and we can see things in the summer.

“Obviously life changes, but it’s an important statement.”

Asked if the board had spoken to him about Engels’ proposal, the Northern Irishman said: “No, absolutely not. Not at all.

“No, they said no before they told me. I was asked that question on Sunday (about the first bid since Falkirk)
game). I really don’t know anything about it.

“But I think the offer came from Nottingham Forest and Michael (Nicholson, chairman) told me it was received, I think, at about 4.55pm.

“Honestly, I don’t really know anything about it, just in case you think I’m lying a lot.”

O’Neal keen on Chamberlain after talks

Although the Scottish transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday, free agents can still be signed.

O’Neill has openly expressed his interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain, the 32-year-old former Arsenal and Liverpool striker whose last club was Turkey’s Besiktas, whom he left last summer.

Asked if the 35-time England capper was someone he liked, the Celtic boss said: “I do. I really do. Yes. He has been training with Arsenal for a while since playing in Turkey.”

“Have spoken to him but I’m sure he would have had options, maybe closer to London. But I must admit, he’s very affable.

“I was very interested but I was surprised people didn’t take him closer to the area and he told me he had been training at Arsenal for quite some time.

“So as far as health, it’s not game health, but that’s okay. We’ll see. Listen, he has a lot of options.

“I think he was very excited about what we were saying. He knows the football club. He’s a good friend of Joe Hart and Joe has spoken to him. Not on our behalf. It was just a conversation with Joe. But listen, it’s okay.

“It’s a fun thing to do, but if it doesn’t happen, it won’t happen.”