Celtic have been linked with Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha as they look to add more firepower in attack, but talk of a deal appears to be a bit early at this stage.
Reports in Belgium claimed the Hoops were making progress on a move for the quick and skillful winger, with some even suggesting a deal was close.
Balikwisha is out of contract next summer, and Antwerp are believed to be open to selling him due to financial pressures at the club.
Sporting director Marc Overmars recently confirmed that Antwerp may have to sell some of their top players this window, and Balikwisha is among those who could leave. The winger played a key role in their European campaign last season and fits the sort of attacking option Rodgers is looking to bring in.
Despite the growing noise around a move to Glasgow, the player’s agent, Jibril Rekkab, has made it clear that Celtic have not yet been in contact about a possible transfer.
He said: (RecordSport), “Michel-Ange is not closed to the idea of joining Celtic, but the club would still have to come forward. No discussions are underway.”
The player being open to a move could give Celtic reason to act if they decide to step up their interest in the next few weeks. With his contract running down, Antwerp may look to sell him before the window closes rather than lose him for nothing next summer.
Balikwisha is comfortable on both wings and brings pace and flexibility, qualities Rodgers is believed to be focusing on during this transfer window.
Rodgers has a strong group of attacking players, but recent injuries and the need for rotation have shown why adding more options out wide could be important.
At this stage, it is up to Celtic to decide if they want to make a move.
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2 responses
We are only interested in stock piling money not being the best football team we can be. Rodgers can’t be happy with this lack of interest in signing team ready replacements for those sold.
As reagrds Balikwisha, I hope Celtic never enter into negotiations for him. He is definitely not Celtic material, he lacks quality and would be just another cheap deal that will go wrong for Celtic. Let’s see some serious money being spent on proper first-team-ready quality players – the manager and fans are crying out for it. If it doesn’t happen this window then everyone associated with Celtic should demand the immediate sacking of the Board. I think most of us have had enough of these dragged out transfer windows in which our best players get sold and cheap rubbish is brought in to replace them. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!