Defender eyes “dream” move to Arsenal but admits he could “never” join Man Utd

The January transfer window is open and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Bjorn Engels eyes a move to Arsenal…

Belgian defender Bjorn Engels says it’s his dream to join Arsenal but his Liverpool-supporting wife would never let him play for Manchester United, according to quotes in L’Equipe via the Mirror.

Engels came through the youth ranks at Club Brugge after joining the Belgian club as a child and he made 97 first team appearances before making a move to Olympiacos in the summer of 2017.

The 24-year-old made 24 appearances during his first season in Greece before being sent out on loan to Reims last summer and he’s been a permanent fixture in their side having played every minute of their 17 Ligue 1 games since joining the club.

The centre-back has now been speaking to L’Equipe and admitted that he would love to play in the Premier League one day with Arsenal his preferred destination. Engels is a huge fan of the Gunners with Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira among his idols and the defender described a move to Arsenal as his ‘dream’.

The Belgian U21 international has attracted interest from Everton in the past and while his wife – who was born in Liverpool and supports the Reds – would have been happy for her husband to play for the Toffees, he said he could ‘never’ play for Man Utd.

When asked about moving to the Premier League, Engels is quoted by the Mirror as telling L’Equipe:

“Not right now, but if my level continues to rise, it will come. I’ve been there a couple of times in the past, maybe next time is the right one. Arsenal? It would be a dream.”

“She’s [my wife] from Liverpool and all her family is a fan of the Reds. When Everton was interested in me, she said to me laughing: Everton is ok, but never Man United!”

Arsenal are reportedly in the market for defensive reinforcements as Laurent Koscielny is coming towards the end of his career and doubts continue over Shkodran Mustafi but it remains to be seen whether Engels will become a target for his boyhood club.

Perhaps if he continues to impress in France during the second half of the season he might catch Unai Emery’s eye and secure a dream move to the Emirates Stadium next summer.