Door opens for Celtic to sign top target Michel-Ange Balikwisha

The Scottish Premiership champions have been consistently linked with the winger in recent transfer windows, who contributed four goals and three assists in 17 appearances last season, despite being sidelined for 29 matches due to injury.

Royal Antwerp looking to cut costs this summer 

According to voetbalprimeur.be, facing financial difficulties, Royal Antwerp are reportedly prioritising revenue generation and significant cost-cutting measures this summer.

Consequently, the club intends to cash in on Balikwisha, Mahamdou Doumbia, Senne Lammens, and Zeno Van Den Bosch, aiming to raise around €30 million from these player sales.

Balikwisha is approaching the last year of his current deal. In 2021, he transferred to Antwerp from Standard Liege.

Earlier this year, the 24-year-old suggested that a transfer might be on the cards during the summer window: “Without the injuries I have had this season, I probably wouldn’t be at Antwerp anymore,” said Balikwisha.

Injury frustrated Balikwisha’s transfer chances last summer with Celtic, Lille and Lens pursuing his signature 

“I suffered a meniscus 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 our 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 to the fans.”

With the long-term injury of Jota, a winger will be a priority for Brendan Rodgers when the window opens next month. Whether Celtic will renew their interest of Balikwisha who may be bought on a cut-price deal, remains to be seen.

Conor Spence