Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has made clear he is desperate to prevent further departures from Parkhead this summer, with midfielder Arne Engels and right-back Alistair Johnston both attracting significant transfer interest.

Sky Sports News confirmed on Friday that West Ham are in active discussions over a deal for Engels, though Celtic are holding firm at a £25m asking price. O'Neill acknowledged a bid had been made but said it did not "remotely meet our valuation." Nottingham Forest had also attempted to sign the Belgium international in January.

Moyes calls O'Neill over Johnston

Johnston's performances for Canada at the World Cup have sharpened interest in the right-back, with Everton emerging as potential suitors. O'Neill revealed Everton manager David Moyes rang him personally to flag the club's intention to make contact.

"Everton have been in contact. In fairness, David did call me last weekend to tell me that there would be contact. But I don't know how far that has progressed, or if it has at all."

O'Neill also confirmed uncertainty over whether either Engels or Johnston would be available for Celtic's Scottish Premiership opener against Dundee on Monday.

A lopsided window so far

The scale of Celtic's outgoings this summer has been striking. A total of 14 players have left the club, among them Daizen Maeda, who joined Ipswich, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who moved to Bursaspor, alongside the expiry of several high-profile loan arrangements.

On the incomings side, Celtic have signed forwards Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh — the latter arriving for a club-record fee. O'Neill admitted the volume of exits has left him concerned.

"Now that you say 14, I'm worried myself. We did want to build this squad and bring players in anyway. Alistair did excellent work with Canada and that enhanced his chances. That's utopia — unfortunately, that's not real life."

Duran and Hogh can coexist, says O'Neill

Celtic often deployed a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 last season, which limited the club to a single central striker. With two forwards now signed, O'Neill expressed confidence that Duran and Hogh can operate together.

"I would think that given the time that the two players should be able to play together without a problem," he said, adding that Duran's versatility — having played out wide — gives him additional options in how he shapes his attack.

Celtic and Rangers chase Frosinone winger Ghedjemis

Both Celtic and Rangers are reportedly weighing a move for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis. Celtic came close to signing the 23-year-old Algeria international in January, and the two Glasgow clubs now appear to be rivals in the race for his signature.

Ghedjemis contributed 15 goals and three assists for Frosinone last season as the Italian club secured promotion to Serie A, earning him a place in Algeria's World Cup squad. He has also attracted attention from clubs in Italy, England, and the United States.

Rangers are seeking two new wide players following Oliver Antman's departure. Sky Sports News also reported that Coventry City's Jahnoah Markelo is a target for the Ibrox club, while Brighton's Amario Cozier-Duberry and Vaclav Cerny — who spent a loan spell at Ibrox — have been linked, though Cerny's wage demands at Besiktas may complicate any potential deal.