CELTIC BALIKWISHA LATEST: DEAL IN FINAL STAGES
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
If ever Celtic fans needed a reminder of how badly we need to strengthen our attacking options, it was last night.
Celtic look bereft of ideas, as they stuttered and sputtered to a frustrating 0-0 home draw against a dogged, resilient but ultimately very ordinary-looking Kairat Almaty side.
Whilst it will be too late to have an influence on next week’s return leg in Kazakhstan, Celtic finally look to be bringing in a winger of sufficient quality to truly enhance our attack.
Celtic Balikwisha Chase Finally Enters the Final Lap
Reports coming out of Belgium last night, and later picked up by media in Scotland suggest that a fee of around 4.5 million pounds has been agreed with Antwerp for their winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
The 24-year-old has been on Celtic’s radar for more than a year. However, a series of injuries last season derailed previous attempts to get a deal done. Balikwisha has looked good in pre-season with Antwerp this summer, so it seems to simply be Celtic’s own intransigence that has delayed a deal up until now.
All that remains is for the player to have a medical. Some last-minute logistical issues in that regard remain to be worked out. However, since we are now past the deadline for participation in next week’s second leg qualifier, there’s no immediate rush now to get this deal done.
If all goes well, the player will probably be unveiled sometime next week.
The former Standard Liege star, has made 145 appearances, offering up 47 goal contributions in that time since he joined Antwerp.
However, Belgian media has been speculating all summer about Balikwisha’s next move. He’s in the final year of his contract, and has shown no desire to extend his stay at Antwerp.
This is something of a recurring pattern with Celtic signings this season. We snapped up Benjamin Nygren for a hugely discounted fee due to his previous contract only having 6 months left.
With Balikwisha though, Antwerp held firm in their valuation, and Celtic remained obstinate in their inflexibility. Until now.
Balikwisha will provide Celtic with an option on the right wing. However, he can also operate on the left. So, depending on who else comes in, fans will be hoping his arrival finally frees up Daizen Maeda to assume the center forward role once again.
For Balikwisha, Celtic represents a step up to a higher profile club. However, he has already sampled Champions League football, and will not be fazed by the big occasion.
Whether or not Celtic actually return to Europe’s top table this year remains to be seen. We will have to wait and see on that one.
