Michel-Ange Balikwisha is once again being linked with a move to Celtic, but the circumstances surrounding a potential deal are becoming increasingly complicated.
The Royal Antwerp winger had previously been identified as a possible summer addition for Brendan Rodgers, with the Belgian club reportedly softening their stance on the 24-year-old’s price tag.
Earlier reports suggested Antwerp might be willing to lower their asking price to around £4.6million, partly due to financial pressures. Such a valuation could have made Balikwisha a more likely option for Celtic as they look to add depth and quality to their wide areas ahead of the new season.
However, the message coming out of Antwerp is starting to shift. Club CEO Sven Jaecques recently made it clear there would be no fire sale, as the Belgian side look to steady their finances without dismantling their squad.
Now, new head coach Stef Wils has backed that line, indicating he believes Balikwisha can still play a key role for the club. His comments suggest that, despite earlier hints of a possible exit, Antwerp may look to keep hold of the winger after all.
He said: (RecordSport), “Of course I want to keep him. I also think that it can work.”
Balikwisha has long been regarded as a talented winger in the Belgian Pro League, with pace, technical ability and a knack for unlocking defences. His profile has drawn attention across Europe, and Celtic’s interest has been reported for some time.
With the Hoops in the market for attacking reinforcements, the player’s availability and price tag could be key. But as things stand, Antwerp appear to be digging in as they try to build under a new manager rather than break up their team.
Celtic’s recruitment team will be monitoring the situation closely. While a deal may not be entirely off the table, it’s clear that any move for Balikwisha will depend on how firm Antwerp are willing to stand in the coming weeks.
The Hoops have been relatively active early in the transfer window and will weigh up whether pursuing Balikwisha is still possible given the changing tone from the Belgian side.
