Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha is the subject of interest from Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
The Hoops boss wanted to bring the 23-year-old to the Parkhead last summer, but a serious muscle injury sidelined him for several months.
Antwerp chief executive officer Sven Jaecques recently confirmed that Celtic wanted Balikwisha, and his club are expected to be open to doing business.
They value the attacker at £5 million, and selling him in January makes plenty of sense as his contract expires in 2026.
Balikwisha ticks every box from Celtic’s perspective, and they could do with quality attacking reinforcements heading into the second half of the season.
The Bhoys were in talks with his representatives last summer and could now resume discussions in the coming weeks over a potential deal.
Balikwisha started his career at Standard Liege, where he notched nine goals in 40 appearances. He has bagged 25 goals in 124 matches for Antwerp.
Celtic may need to guarantee him regular playing opportunities to convince him to join them ahead of other clubs.
Balikwisha could prefer to end the campaign with Antwerp and decide on his future in the summer, and Celtic will likely remain keen on recruiting him if a January deal falls through.
Celtic Set to Secure Signing of Royal Antwerp Winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Celtic FC is on the verge of completing the signing of Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, according to reports emerging from Belgium. The 22-year-old Congolese international has been in impressive form for Antwerp this season, scoring 5 goals and providing 4 assists in 17 appearances.
Balikwisha’s performances have caught the attention of several top European clubs, but it appears that Celtic has won the race for his signature. The Scottish champions are believed to have agreed a fee with Royal Antwerp, reported to be in the region of £3.5 million, and the player is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days.
The signing of Balikwisha would be a significant coup for Celtic, who have been looking to strengthen their attacking options in the January transfer window. The winger’s pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability would make him a valuable asset to Ange Postecoglou’s squad, and he is likely to compete with the likes of Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda for a starting berth.
Balikwisha’s arrival would also provide Celtic with a much-needed boost ahead of the second half of the season. The Hoops are currently top of the Scottish Premiership, but they face a challenging run of fixtures in the coming weeks, including matches against Rangers, Aberdeen, and Hearts.
The transfer is subject to the completion of a medical and the obtaining of a work permit, but Celtic is confident that the deal will be finalized in the coming days. If the transfer is successful, Balikwisha would become the club’s second signing of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Canadian midfielder, Alistair Johnston.
Celtic fans will be excited to see Balikwisha in action, and the player’s arrival is likely to generate a buzz of excitement around the club. With his pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Balikwisha has the potential to become a fan favorite at Celtic Park.