Celtic-linked winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha heading elsewhere

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The Celtic Star

·1 de agosto de 2025

Celtic-linked winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha heading elsewhere

Celtic-linked winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha appears to be heading elsewhere, with Top Mercato journalist Romain Lantheaume reporting that the Belgian is now in advanced talks with a Ligue 1 club competing in Europe.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp takes a shot whilst under pressure from Jules Kounde of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 19, 2023 in Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

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‘According to information from Top Mercato, the attacking midfielder, who has scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in 11 appearances in 2024-2025 despite a season marred by injuries, is in advanced discussions with a Ligue 1 club qualified for the European Cup*.

But that’s not all, in Germany too, the former Belgian U21 international is closely followed (10 caps, 1 goal). Hoffenheim and Borussia Mönchengladbach particularly appreciate his profile. At the end of his contract in June 2026 with Antwerp, the player who has already tasted the Champions League (5 matches and one goal, against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023-2024) is valued at 7 million euros by the specialist site Transfermarkt .

In England, too, his potential is generating interest. Leeds United , promoted to the Premier League, and Southampton , relegated to the Championship, have also been drawn to the qualities of the former Standard Liège player. That’s what you call being popular!

* As a reminder, Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille, AS Monaco, Nice, LOSC, Olympique Lyonnais and Strasbourg are the French clubs qualified for European competitions this season.’

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)

Balikwisha, 24, has been on Celtic’s radar for over a year, with the club reportedly tracking him through several transfer windows. His agent even confirmed the player was open to the move to Glasgow. But despite mutual interest, Celtic haven’t pushed the deal forward, it seems, and that may have opened the door for others.

According to Top Mercato, Balikwisha is closing in on a move to a French side involved in European competition. That narrows it down to PSG, Marseille, Monaco, Lille, Lyon, Nice, or Strasbourg. The exact club isn’t named, but the interest appears advanced.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Arbnor Muja of Royal Antwerp look on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp at Volksparkstadion on November 28, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Balikwisha played for Royal Antwerp, as his club drew 1-1 with Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian league opener last weekend. He’s under contract until 2026 and is valued around €7 million. Despite injury setbacks, Balikwisha has had a strong 2024. He also featured in the Champions League last season, scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk.

A former Belgium U21 international with 10 caps and a goal, Balikwisha has a profile that fits what Celtic have often looked for—young, attacking, with European experience and potential resale value. With several clubs actively moving on the player, Celtic now risk missing out—if they haven’t already.

Balikwisha to Celtic has made sense on paper for a while, and with Celtic short of attacking options across both wings the need for progress in the transfer market is acute, but with no concrete movement from the club and stronger bids now coming in from France and Germany, it looks like this one is slipping away.

Whether it’s down to price or hopefully other transfer priorities, its seems Celtic may be looking elsewhere while Balikwisha moves on.

Niall J

David Potter at the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, Celtic 2 Hearts 1, 25 may 2019. Photo The Celtic Star

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