As the January transfer deadline neared, desperation mode kicked in for Nottingham Forest, and they launched a fierce assault on Celtic star Arne Engels.

Forest launched a number of bids for the Belgian midfielder, with the last one totalling £25 million, before Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said he wouldn’t sell him for £100 million so close to the deadline.

Missing out on a player that might have complemented the squad might have felt like a missed opportunity back in January; however, his West Ham form dictates more of a lucky escape.

Why Sean Dyche wanted Arne Engels

Engels has a reputation for being a bit of a set-piece specialist at Celtic and Dyche wanted Forest to improve in those areas when he came to the City Ground.

Engels is forward-thinking, contributes in transition and is renowned for taking control of dead-ball situations for every team at every club he’s played for.

The pursuit would have seen Forest add competition to the midfield ranks and might have actually been viewed as a replacement ready for Elliot Anderson leaving in the summer.

Forest had to look elsewhere, however, with Celtic waiting and then ultimately accepting a lesser offer during the summer window from Nuno Espirito Santo, who took him to West Ham.

Why Forest got lucky escape with Engels

Engels did demonstrate strong technical qualities in Scotland, the step up to the Premier League might have proved too much for him – as his West Ham form is essentially showing.

The Belgian has seemingly struggled with the pace and physicality of the Championship, and ultimately, that is a big red flag when it comes to him stepping up to play in the Premier League.

Had Forest completed a £25 million defeat, the pressure and expectation of immediate returns on his transfer fee could have placed him under unnecessary strain from the off.

Engels is yet to score for the Hammers so far this season and has claimed just three assists from his 11 matches, with very little in his performances just yet to suggest he’s a Premier League player.

There is also an argument that Engels just wouldn’t fit into the dynamics of the Forest squad. The Belgian’s skills are somewhat different from what Oliver Glasner now looks for and the Reds were perhaps right to walk away from doing a deal with Celtic.

Forest can count their lucky stars over Engels

When it comes to being in Forest’s position in the food chain as a Premier League club, sometimes the deals you don’t do become as important as the ones that do get over the line.

Celtic’s firm stance in rejecting Forest’s bid in January appeared a blow at the time, with Dyche left frustrated with the recruitment done during that window.

However, as Engels gets settled at West Ham, Forest’s decision to walk away looks even more justified not only from a performance point of view but also from a financial one too.

Forest signed Xaver Schlager on a free in the summer and he looks like a very useful addition to the squad and whilst Engels struggles with West Ham in the league below, this one has to be marked as a lucky escape for the Reds.