Belgian Attacking Ace Opens Up On His Decision To Reject Celtic: Should They Reignite Interest In Summer? | OneFootball

Reported Celtic target Michel-Ange Balikwisha has opened up on his decision to turn down a January move to Parkhead. The Belgian attacking ace was sidelined for months with a torn thigh muscle, and therefore, wanted to regain his fitness before plying his trade to Glasgow from Antwerp.

Told the 22-year-old wideman (as cited by The Daily Record) who is aiming for a strong league finish before making a call on his future.

The youngster progressed through the academy ranks of Anderlecht and Standard Liège before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad in 2020. He joined Antwerp a year later and has maintained his standards so far with 25 goals and 14 assists in 128 appearances across competitions. He returned from his injury against Anderlecht a few days back, and the next few months would be crucial for the former Belgium youth international to shape his future given his contract at Bosuilstadion is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 19: Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp is tackled by Jules Kounde of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Antwerp were willing to let Balikwisha leave for £5m, a report from Gazet van Antwerpen revealed last month. They would have bolstered other areas with that money under the supervision of sporting director Marc Overmars, however, his valuation might reduce further upon the closure of the 2024-25 season.

Should Celtic Reignite Interest In The Summer?

Yet the Hoops might not return for him in the summer. While they sanctioned Luis Palma’s loan to Olympiacos, Jota’s ‘homecoming‘ has strengthened them down the wide. The Belgian, who also prefers to operate from the left, has a similar profile. Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Yang Hyun-jun and James Forrest offer ample depth, quality and creative spark in the attacking third.

Meanwhile, Celtic lost Kyogo Furuhashi who left for Rennes last month. Brendan Rodgers has admitted that they wanted another striker before the deadline day, but the rumoured targets Mathias Kvistgaarden and David Strelec could not be roped in as the Bhoys failed to strike a financial agreement with Brondby and Slovan Bratislava for their prized assets.

Rodgers could still snap up Balikwisha and stack more players on the flanks. But the priority should be a ‘number 9’ to challenge and cover Adam Idah upfront. Maeda could be an option high up the pitch, but his work rate and flair would be compromised if deployed as a centre-forward. The Celts, therefore, should prioritize a talisman ahead of the Antwerp ace.