Michel-Ange Balikwisha ‘keen’ on Celtic switch as transfer talks continue with Royal Antwerp

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Since July last summer, Celtic have been linked with signing Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Brendan Rodgers was said to have spoken with Balikwisha at that time, but a deal to bring the 24-year-old Belgian to Glasgow did not materialise.

Instead, Celtic held out until January to sign Jota as he sealed an emotional return to the Bhoys from Stade Rennais for £8m.

Celtic have continued to scout Balikwisha over the last few months as Antwerp finished fifth in the Belgian Pro League.

And Balikwisha himself has since mentioned that the Hoops tried to sign him last summer, while he couldn’t move in January 2024 due to injury.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri claimed the Bhoys had reopened transfer talks with Antwerp for Balikwisha at the start of this month, and now there’s been a further update.

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Balikwisha wants Celtic move as transfer talks ongoing

It appears Balikwisha – who scored four goals in 18 games last season – wants to move to Celtic this summer, according to Tavolieri’s most recent update on X.

Tavolieri previously stated that Celtic officials began discussing personal terms with Balikwisha’s camp at the beginning of June.

Now, the reporter insists talks between both clubs remain ongoing, while stating the winger is eyeing up a permanent move to Glasgow.

What Balikwisha said about possibly leaving Royal Antwerp

In April, Balikwisha provided an interview to Belgian media where he explained how a couple of injuries prevented him from leaving Antwerp last season.

He said that the Belgian Pro League play-offs would play a big factor in his future. Well, Antwerp just missed out on European qualification, so does that mean it’s almost certain he departs?

Two months ago, he said: “Without those injuries I have had this season, I probably wouldn’t be at Antwerp anymore.

“I suffered a meniscus injury in the 2024 winter transfer window. And last summer, Celtic, Lille and Lens came knocking and I was out again at a bad time.

“I don’t know whether I will leave this summer. The chairman and Marc Overmars will be in charge of that in the coming weeks. How I end the play-offs will determine a lot.

“If I continue on this path with the way I am playing, things can go quickly. And if it turns out tomorrow that my Antwerp story is coming to an end, then I hope to sign elsewhere in time, so that I can play a farewell match for the fans.”