Michel-Ange Balikwisha – Celtic now ready to hit the button

The clearest sign yet came this week when Balikwisha’s agent, Jibril Rekkab, publicly addressed his client’s position. While confirming no official talks had yet taken place, Rekkab made it clear the player is open to the move, stating he is “not closed to the idea of joining Celtic.” In the cautious world of transfer diplomacy, actually naming a club sounds like a signal of intent — and perhaps a strategic message aimed as much at Antwerp’s as it is Celtic’s hierarchy.

When agents speak publicly, particularly about a player’s willingness to move, it usually signals movement behind the scenes. In this case, Rekkab’s comments serve as an invitation to Celtic and some gentle encouragement for Antwerp to find a solution over the price.

Compounding the situation is the stance of Royal Antwerp’s sporting director, Marc Overmars. The former Ajax and Arsenal man has made no secret of the club’s intent to sell Balikwisha — for the right price. With Antwerp looking to fund their own transfer moves, moving Balikwisha on this summer is less a possibility and more a necessity.

“We’ve received interest, but not offers that meet our valuation,” Overmars said . “We’re not in the business of giving away talent.”

It’s brinkmanship — but it’s a situation that now clearly favours Celtic.

We’ve also now had an ‘exclusive’ via Daily Record’s Scott Burns, a journalist with a solid track record on Celtic matters, even if the wider publication is sometimes known for a more shall we say speculative approach, claiming Celtic are ready to ‘hit the button’ on the deal.

The timing of all this is crucial. Balikwisha is in the final year of his contract. Antwerp cannot afford to let a saleable asset walk out for nothing next summer or risk a pre-contract arrangement in January and a player in self-preservation mode for the final six months of the season. They either sell now, or risk losing a player who is reportedly eager to take the next step in his career. That dynamic immediately gives Celtic the greater leverage.

Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, is in need of wide reinforcements. Nicolas Kühn has sealed a big-money move to Como for £17 million. Luis Palma has joined Lech Poznań on loan with an option to buy, and Marco Tilio is heading to Rapid Vienna in a deal that includes an obligation to buy based on appearances.

Those exits have left Celtic’s wide options, depending on your viewpoint, either depleted, or with decks cleared ready to bring in alternatives heading into a demanding campaign – and that’s before we consider the Jota injury which further muddies the waters.

Celtic have tracked Balikwisha for some time, this is the third consecutive transfer window Celtic have been linked with the player, and the growing public signals from both player and selling club suggest that Celtics are now edging closer to securing this signing.

The only remaining question, it seems, is whether Celtic will meet Antwerp’s valuation — believed to be in the region of £4–5 million — or if a compromise can be reached.

In either case, the balance of power has shifted. The agent has gone public, on the back of the selling club having shown its hand, and the player is seemingly ready for this move.

If Celtic move soon with a suitable offer, it’s not a leap of faith to think Balikwisha could be a Celtic player before the end of the month.

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