Football Insider

Celtic 'given huge Michel-Ange Balikwisha boost' as transfer agreement nears

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Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Sun 24 August 2025 13:40, UK



Celtic have been given a major boost in their push to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha following the latest news from Antwerp.



The Hoops are looking to further bolster their attack as they seek a 14th Scottish Premiership title in 15 years and a record-breaking 56th overall — which will take them past arch-rivals Rangers for the first time since the 1920s.

Antwerp winger Balikwisha has emerged as a major target — alongside Feyenoord’s Calvin Stengs — with Football Insider revealing on Saturday that Celtic stand a great chance of securing his signing if they can qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Balikwisha — who has 30 goals and 17 assists to his name in 145 senior Antwerp appearances — has just one year remaining on his contract in Belgium, and Sunday’s team news will serve as a real boost to Celtic‘s hopes of landing the 24-year-old.

Balikwisha has made a strong start to the season with Antwerp, opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over OH Leuven and sitting first among his teammates after four Pro League games in a number of key metrics — including chances created (4) and xG (1.0, FBref).

The former Belgium youth international’s form helped Antwerp remain unbeaten after four games, winning once and drawing the other three.

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However, Balikwisha was nowhere to be seen in the squad for Sunday’s clash at home to KV Mechelen, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens also missing amid interest from Manchester United.

While nothing is confirmed, Balikwisha’s absence from the matchday squad suggests an exit from Antwerp is close, given Celtic fans reason to get excited about another new arrival.



Daizen Maeda is set for a new role at Celtic (Credit: Imago)

Football Insider verdict

Daizen Maeda has been linked with a move away from Celtic this summer, with Brentford and Tottenham both linked.

However, the Japan international now look set to stay at Parkhead, and the arrival of Balikwisha could help unlock his true potential.

Maeda was arguably the most lethal forward in Scottish football last season, registering 33 goals and 11 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions — including four goals in the Champions League.

A winger by trade, 18 of those direct goal involvements came while playing as a No.9 (14 goals, 4 assists).

Celtic aren’t blessed with great striker options right now, but Maeda has proven himself incredibly effective in that position.

It’s understood that the signing of Balikwisha will allow Brendan Rodgers to unleash Maeda as a centre-forward on a more permanent basis.

Rangers have faltered terribly at the start of this season, and with Celtic making these sorts of attacking moves, the title race may be over before it ever really started.

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