Celtic back in for Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp

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The Celtic Star

·12 juin 2025

Celtic back in for Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp

In the days leading up to the start of the summer transfer window, Celtic have been linked with multiple wingers…

Club’s Christos Tzolis and Anderlecht s Nilson Angulo fight for the ball during a soccer match between RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge, Sunday 18 May 2025 in Brussels, on day 9 out of 10 of the Champions Play-offs of the 2024-2025 Jupiler Pro League first division of the Belgian championship. Photo BRUNO FAHY

Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht and Sarpsborg’s Sondre Orjasaeter, who was pursued by the club in January, have both been mentioned recently in the media, while a well-known winger has reportedly resurfaced as a potential option.

Vidéos OneFootball

Moldes Halldor Stenevik og Sarpsborg 08s Sondre Orjasaeter under eliteseriekampen i fotball mellom Sarpsborg 08 og Molde pa Sarpsborg Stadion. Foto: Christoffer Andersen / NTB Sarpsborg Norge

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who initially linked Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp to Celtic last summer, has revealed the latest on the 24-year-old’s situation following a season marred by injuries with the Jupiler Pro League club.

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)

Tavolieri posted an update on X, stating: “Celtic FC back in the race for Michel-Ange Balikwisha! Interested in the Royal Antwerp FC winger since last summer, the Scottish club’s management has reconnected with Balikwisha’s camp + begun new discussions regarding personal terms. More news coming (soon).”

🇧🇪☘️ Celtic FC back in the race for Michel-Ange Balikwisha! Interested in the Royal Antwerp FC winger since last summer, the Scottish club’s management has reconnected with Balikwisha’s camp + begun new discussions regarding personal terms. More news coming 🔜 #RAFC #JPL #mercato
– mardi 10 juin 2025

Although Balikwisha’s season in Belgium was disrupted by injuries, he finished strong by delivering seven goal involvements – four goals and three assists – across his last 10 matches after the league split.

At the start of the year, the ex-Belgium U21 international, eligible for DR Congo via his parents, told local media that he could be looking to move on from Royal Antwerp this summer: “Without the injuries I have had this season, I probably wouldn’t be at Antwerp anymore,” he said.

“I suffered a meniscus in the 2024 winter transfer window. And last summer, Celtic, Lille and Lens came knocking, and I was out again at a bad time. I don’t know whether I will leave this summer. The chairman and Marc Overmars will be in charge of that in the coming weeks.

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)

“How I end the play-offs will determine a lot. If I continue on this path with the way I am playing, things can go quickly.

“If it turns out that my Antwerp story is coming to an end, then I hope to sign elsewhere in time, so that I can play a farewell match to the fans.”

Conor Spence

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