Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s name is back in the mix for Celtic, but there’s confusion over how far things have gone.

His agent, Jibril Rekkab, has said there’s been no formal contact between Royal Antwerp and the Hoops, although he did admit the winger would be open to the move if Celtic showed serious interest.

That version of events has been questioned, with Record Sport reporting that discussions between the two clubs have in fact taken place.

It’s believed Celtic are weighing up whether to move forward, having kept tabs on the player before. Balikwisha was linked with a transfer last year, but an injury on his side stalled any real progress at the time.

Celtic remain in the hunt for reinforcements out wide, with Nicolas Kühn having joined Como and Jota set to miss the first half of the season through injury.

Brendan Rodgers is short on natural wingers heading into the new campaign, and with Champions League qualifiers fast approaching, the need to add depth in that area has become more pressing. Balikwisha continues to be viewed as a strong option.

The 24-year-old is now into the final year of his contract at Antwerp, which could impact how they approach any sale. They may look to cash in now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer. It’s thought a strong offer could push the deal closer.

Celtic’s interest hasn’t yet gone away. Whether they return with a formal bid is still unclear, but the situation is being monitored closely.

Despite the agent’s comments, and even with no official deal in place, talk of a possible transfer isn’t going away. With the squad still needing added depth, this is one link that could yet develop quickly if the circumstances change.