Transfer Latest – Marcelo Saracchi and Michel-Ange Balikwisha incoming | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers hinted that Celtic could finalise “one or two” new signings in the coming days at his media conference in Almaty yesterday and it certainly looks like that is going to happen imminently…

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The manager has welcomed seven new players this summer, but he has expressed frustration in recent media conferences over the lack of transfer movement in the forward areas which has left him short since the start of the season.

During his pre-match press conference via Celtic’s official YouTube channel ahead of the Hoops’ Champions League playoff second leg in Kazakhstan against Kairat Almaty, Rodgers appeared upbeat while providing an update on the club’s transfer business with the window set to shut next Monday.

“There might be [imminent signings],” he said with a big grin on his face. “I think by the time we get back, hopefully we’ll be close to one or two things, yeah.”

Celtic have been linked with their long-term target Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who is reportedly set to move from Royal Antwerp to the Scottish champions for around £4.5 million.

Royal Antwerp FC v OH Leuven – Jupiler Pro League DEURNE, BELGIUM – AUGUST 10 : Balikwisha Michel-Ange forward of Royal Antwerp FC celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the Jupiler Pro League match between Royal Antwerp FC and OH Leuven on August 10, 2025 in Deurne, Belgium, 10/08/2025 Deurne Belgium Photo: Gvg/ IMAGO

The ex-Belgium U21 international has been on Celtic’s radar for more than a year, with the club’s pursuit of him initially reported over 18 months ago.

Meanwhile, in recent Argentine outlets have linked 27-year-old left-back Marcelo Saracchi with a potential loan move that would include an option to make the transfer permanent.

Marcelo Saracchi of Boca Juniors celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during a Torneo Apertura Betano 2025 match between Union and Boca Juniors at 15 de Abril stadium on January 29, 2025 in Santa Fe, Argentina. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)

The Boca Juniors defender, who has previously played for River Plate, RB Leipzig, Galatasaray, and Levante, would serve as a backup to Kieran Tierney, given Rodgers’ hesitancy to make Hayato Inamura a first-team squad player.

This morning Anthony Joseph at Sky Sports has reported that a loan agreement with Boca Juniors has now been reached with Saracchi now travelling to London for a medical. However at this stage there is NO agreement to buy included in the arrangement.

The reliable Sky Sports reporter posted his update on this deal earlier this morning, stating:

Marcelo Saracchi of Boca Juniors drives the ball during the Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2024 round of 16 second leg match between Cruzeiro and Boca Juniors at Mineirao Stadium on August 22, 2024 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

‘Celtic have agreed a loan deal for Boca Juniors left-back Marcelo Saracchi. It’s understood the Uruguay international is due to travel to London to undergo a medical, before finalising his move in Glasgow. As things stand, no option to buy has been agreed by the clubs.’

UEFA Champions League: Feyenoord v Celtic Rotterdam – Calvin Stengs of Feyenoord scoring the 1-0 during the 1st leg of the UEFA Champions League between Feyenoord v Celtic at Stadion Feijenoord De Kuip on 19 September 2023 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Photo Yannick Verhoeven

Celtic were yesterday linked with Feyenoord’s Calvin Stengs, who is reportedly in discussions with English Championship side Leicester City, while speculation continues to surround the possible signing of Jamie Vardy, now a free agent after leaving Leicester this summer following 500 appearances for the Foxes. However Anthony Joseph has provided another update today, this time on Leicester’s interest in Calvin Strengs being conditional on the sale of Bilal El Khannouss. he reports”

‘Leicester City are only likely to continue their pursuit of Feyenoord winger if they sell Bilal El Khannouss.’

That news surely will give Celtic encouragement if they do make a move for the Feyenoord winger, which might happen if Celtic qualify for the Champions League later today in Kazakhstan.

Brendan Rodgers also gave an update on who travelled to Kazakhstan following Auston Trusty and Adam Idah’s absence from Saturday’s Scottish Premiership encounter against Livingston.

He said: “We’re pretty much the same as the weekend. Adam has travelled, he wasn’t available at the weekend. But other than that, pretty much the same. Auston [Trusty] obviously hasn’t made it but in the main, the same squad as the weekend.”

Conor Spence

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