Michel-Ange Balikwisha

Royal Antwerp star Michel-Ange Balikwisha has revealed he turned down a move to Celtic last month because he didn't want to go when he was injured.

The Scottish Premiership champions were linked with a £5 million move for the Belgian Under 21s international in the summer and during last month's transfer window. However, the 23-year-old had a muscle tear at the start of the season and missed six months of the campaign

Balikwisha, who has 18 months left of his contract, made his comeback at the weekend against Anderlecht and claimed that Celtic were still interested in him despite his injury with Brendan Rodgers admitting he would liked to have done more in the market. He said: "Celtic's interest was concrete, but I chose to stay. Leaving with an injury was not ideal for me. I would rather take good care of myself so I could be ready for the play-offs

We will see in the summer transfer window." And he reckons he's raring to go for the rest of the season. He said: "I’m still searching for sharpness in front of goal, but that will come back in time


I’m happy that everything is going well. It feels good to touch the ball again. I’ve had highs and lows, and I’ve had two surgeries. There was something wrong with the stitching. That’s why the recovery period took longer than expected


I could have continued playing, but you don't want to play football in pain. Then I chose to rehabilitate on an individual basis - something the club agreed to - to feel 100 per cent again

 

I dont buy it

 

Don't believe it. He's been out injured most of the season

 

No thanks..

 

I could have seen us planning to sign him in January but when he took longer to get fit then came back and got injured again, there’s no way we were signing him in January. We can easily sit and see how he does until the summer and then he has a year on his deal.

Plus it’s unlikely we need a left winger now, it would be a right one more likely.

 

See ya.

 

Yep: left-footer for the RW position. Direct competition for Kühn. Can’t argue we have depth when there’s only left-footed player in the entire attack.

 

I call bull * on this by him we had choice between him and jota and it was always gonna be jota he was injured aswell


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Slip celtics name in, keeps interest for others for the summer. Pass.

 

He's a very good player, but he's been done by injuries, and bad ones at that, too big a risk now.

We got Jota now, so don't need him anymore.

 

Every winger we were linked with during the previous window looked better than him.

I hope we go back in for Moro, but would be more than happy with Orjasaeter too.

 

CELTIC ran a fresh check on £5million winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha as they ramp up their summer transfer plans.

SunSport understands Hoops scouts watched Royal Antwerp’s 5-1 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday night

Balikwisha, 23, has been a long-time target for Brendan Rodgers but injury ended the chance of a January move to Parkhead.

The wideman’s season has been ruined by a torn thigh muscle, but he is back to full fitness.

Balikwisha claimed an assist for his side’s goal, but they were thumped after having a man sent off.

The Belgium Under-21 cap only has a year left on his deal and Antwerp are ready to sell him at the end of the season.


The speedy winger can play on both flanks and has been tipped as a future senior Belgian internationalist.

Celtic were interested last summer and again in January, but Balikwisha didn’t want to quit his club when injured.

Speaking in February, he said: “Celtic’s interest was concrete, but I chose to stay.

“Leaving with an injury was not ideal. I’d rather take good care of myself so I could be ready for the play-offs with Antwerp

“We’ll see in the summer transfer window.”

 

Hope this is *..

Don't like the look of him at all. His side do a lot of talking as well..

 

If he's fit again, we should definitely be interested. He's a cracking player, and can play both wings and even striker.
Ideal replacement if Kuhn goes too.

 

He has missed 62 games due to injury in the past 4 seasons. This one was his worst with 28. The seasons before he always missed a third of the league! A good player on his day… but defo a sicknote, an expensive one.

 

Only reason why I don't want us to sign him.

 

Celtic are plotting a summer move for Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who is open to a switch to the Glasgow side, TEAMtalk understands.

Celtic are set to back Brendan Rodgers with several new additions this summer, while a number of their key players could leave amid concrete interest from top sides.

Sources have confirmed that the Hoops are closely monitoring Balikwisha, who is considered a top talent but finds himself out of the Antwerp side this season.

The 23-year-old, who can play as a striker or winger, signed for Antwerp from Standard Liege in 2021 and has made 131 appearances for the Belgian club to date, notching 25 goals and 15 assists in the process.

However, he has made only eight appearances this season due to injuries and TEAMtalk understands that he feels he is ready to move elsewhere.


That has put Celtic on alert and sources say the Scottish side are very interested in signing Balikwisha this summer, while the player is interested in a move to Celtic to play in the Champions League.

Balikwisha could be available for a cut-price fee and has potential to improve, so Celtic could sell him on for a significant profit in the future


Balikwisha will have just one year remaining on his contract with Antwerp at the end of June and he is very unlikely to sign an extension.


Sources state that he could be available for £4m this summer, which is the cost of his wages for the remainder of his contract. That is viewed as excellent value for money by suitors who are planning a summer approach, such as Celtic.

He could be one of several additions for Rodgers’ side, who are at risk of losing several key players.


Winger Nicolas Kuhn is one player who is wanted by a number of sides including Premier League club Brentford, who have kept close tabs on his performances this season. He is also of major interest to clubs in the Bundesliga, as previously reported.

Balikwisha has been identified as one potential replacement for Kuhn, in case a club matches the German’s price tag.

 

If he’s cheap then I would say he’s worth a punt, would be a very good versatile squad player at worst