Respected journalist Stephen McGowan has shared an important update on Celtic’s plans heading into the final week of the summer transfer window.
He believes there is real movement now, with the club looking to finalise key signings before the 1 September deadline. With time running out, a number of deals could still get over the line.
McGowan says Belgian winger Michel Ange‑Balikwisha is close to signing a four‑year deal at Celtic Park. The 24-year-old would add speed and directness to Brendan Rodgers’ forward line. On top of that, the club are also making good progress in their bid to land Uruguayan left‑back Marcelo Saracchi.
He also expects a striker and another wide player to arrive in the coming days. It points to a busy end to the window as Celtic aim to finish their business strong. However, McGowan also questioned why the club has left so much to the final week.
McGowan raised doubts over the thinking behind the delay, especially with Champions League football at stake. The late push may have been avoided had key deals been handled earlier in the summer.
He said: (Press Box hosted by Graham Spiers), “I think Celtic will do business this week. It looks like they’re going to tie up Michel Ange-Balikwisha on a four-year deal.
“Uruguayan left-back Marcelo Saracchi also looks like a good chance of happening. I think they’ll probably get a striker and a second winger in.
“That’s certainly the goal and the aim. The big question is, why are they leaving it so late?
“By this time next week, we could be having a very different conversation.
“I just don’t understand why an inherently cautious, conservative board of directors would take such a huge gamble with Champions League qualification, when they could surely have done some of these deals sooner.”
The final week of the transfer window looks like being a big one for Celtic. If Michel Ange‑Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi arrive as planned, the timing could prove key, giving Brendan Rodgers extra options.
Adding a striker and another winger would show a clear push to strengthen the squad in key areas.
Even so, McGowan’s dig at the board’s “inherently cautious, conservative” style highlights a wider issue. Leaving things this late might create drama, but it also brings real risk, especially with European football and tight deadlines in play.
Celtic are known for being careful with their business, but in a busy summer market, that caution can backfire.
But if even one deal falls apart, questions will rightly be asked about why it was left so late. The next few days will show whether the board have pulled off a last-minute success, or pushed their luck too far.
