Celtic have been linked with a number players over the summer transfer window.
Brendan Rodgers is clearly keen to add fresh faces to his Celtic squad after Kieran Tierney was unveiled and Callum Osmand’s medical being passed over the last few days..
With Celtic links to Mathias Kvistgaarden cooling over the last few weeks, it appears that Michel-Ange Balikwisha is high on Rodgers’ radar.
And it is little wonder considering the ‘bargain fee’ the Celtic boss can nab the Belgian for.
Pete O’Rourke says Michel-Ange Balikwisha ‘remains on Celtic’s radar’
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed that Celtic are still monitoring Balikwisha this summer and it appears that he is not the only forward Rodgers is looking at.
O’Rourke told The Inside Track, “Yeah, there’s real potential that Celtic finally could get this deal done for Michel-Ange Balikwisha
“As you said, he was a long-term target for them. They tried to sign him in the summer transfer window last year, but injury and failing to agree a price tag with Royal Antwerp put paid to any of those hopes of signing them.
“Their interest has never gone away. They have continued to keep tabs on him. He has come back to fitness after a bad injury last year, and he finished the season quite strongly for Royal Antwerp.
“So again, he’s obviously proven that he is back to his best now. Celtic, I think, will be in the market for a new winger in the summer as well. And Balikwisha is somebody that has remained on their radar.”
The ‘bargain fee’ Celtic pay for Michel-Ange Balikwisha
And whilst Celtic have plenty of cash to spend, it appears that Rodgers will not have to break the bank to land the talented Belgian U21 international.
O’Rourke continued, “Obviously, Celtic have maybe been given a little boost in their pursuit of the players well because reports are suggesting in Belgium that Royal Antwerp are experiencing some financial problems as well. So they might have to cash in on some of their players as well. And with the 24-year-old in the final year of his contract at Royal Antwerp, they could maybe land him for a bargain fee of around £5m.
“And again, the thing with Balikwisha is he’s a versatile player. He can play anywhere across that front line. And that’s what Brendan Rodgers will be looking to.
“He’ll be looking to see more options in his attacking armory. And obviously he’ll be looking to strengthen that squad ahead of trying to retain the Scottish Premier League title and also make another impact in the Champions League.”
Over 182 career appearances, Balikwisha has scored 38 goals and created 21. [Transfermarkt]
The youngster has also won every major domestic ihonorn Belgium so his winner’s mentality would certainly fit into Celtic’s first-team.
At just £5m, could Balikwisha be the next Belgian youngster to make waves at Celtic Park? Watch this space.
[streamquiz id=”3″]
