Celtic's failure to secure a replacement for Arne Engels has been linked to their Champions League playoff defeat, with a key target now moving elsewhere. The Daily Record reports that Partizan Belgrade playmaker Ognjen Ugrešić is set to join PAOK, despite Celtic submitting a larger financial package.
Celtic identified the Serbian midfielder as a potential successor to Arne Engels, who joined West Ham for £22 million this summer. The club made a formal offer that would have reached almost £7 million, which was approximately £400,000 more than the proposal from Greek side PAOK. Partizan president Rasim Ljajic, a former Serbian deputy Prime Minister, confirmed the higher bid but explained the decision to honour an agreement with PAOK. "It is true that Celtic came forward and offered more than PAOK, that 500,000 euros difference would mean a lot to us, in the situation Partizan is in, because in the current circumstances it is a significant amount of money," Ljajic said. He added that the club had given their word to PAOK and did not want to damage fraternal relations between the two clubs.
The inability to bring in a creative midfielder like Ugrešić was cited as a factor in Celtic's elimination from the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers' side lost a playoff tie to Austrian club LASK, failing to qualify for the group stages. This defeat came despite holding a commanding 4-0 aggregate lead at one point in the tie. The absence of a direct replacement for Engels' creativity in the final third was felt acutely during the key European fixtures.
While missing out on Ugrešić, Celtic were active in the transfer market. They broke their club record this summer by signing Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt for £11 million. Their first acquisition was Camilo Duran from Qarabag for £6 million. The club also secured Egypt World Cup star Haissem Hassan on a deal that could eventually rise to £10 million, and added Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur for £6.8 million. These signings show significant investment, but the specific gap left by Engels' departure remained unaddressed.
The 22-year-old Serbian is highly regarded, with his agent comparing his attributes to some of Europe's elite midfielders. "His style is similar to Jude Bellingham or to some extent Paul Pogba. His technique is exceptional, but he also has speed, despite his height," the representative explained. He described Ugrešić as an intelligent player with good vision who operates behind the strikers and participates actively in build-up play. His potential move to PAOK represents a significant missed opportunity for Celtic's midfield rebuild.
Despite the European disappointment, Celtic have started the domestic season strongly. They currently sit 1st in the Premiership with 6 points from 2 games, claiming a perfect record of two wins. The team has scored 6 goals and conceded just 1, giving them a +5 goal difference. Their next fixture is at home against Falkirk on 29 August 2026. The immediate focus shifts to maintaining their league form while the longer-term consequences of their transfer market activity, or lack thereof, will be assessed.
