Celtic FC Transfer news: Celtic now SET to SEAL deal with £5m winger who is READY to light up the Scotish League and….

Celtic FC Transfer News: Hoops Renew Interest in £5m Winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha

Celtic supporters are still basking in the glory of their team’s recent League Cup victory over Rangers. The thrilling 3-3 draw, which Celtic won on penalties, marked the team’s 20th major trophy in the last 25 competitions. As the Scottish Premiership champions look to continue their dominance, they may be set to dip into the transfer market.

According to reports, Celtic have renewed their interest in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The 23-year-old Belgian U21 international has been on Celtic’s radar since last summer, but a muscle tear injury prevented a potential move. With Balikwisha now back to full fitness, Celtic may be ready to make a £5m offer to secure his services.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha: A Potential Replacement for Jota?

Celtic’s best winger of the last decade is undoubtedly Jota, who recorded an impressive 54 goals and assists in just 83 appearances for the club. However, with Jota departing Celtic in 2023, the team has been searching for a suitable replacement. Could Michel-Ange Balikwisha be the answer?

A comparison of Balikwisha’s statistics with Jota’s during the 2021-2023 season reveals some interesting similarities and differences. While Jota scored more goals and provided more assists, Balikwisha has a higher rate of progressive carries and attempted take-ons. This suggests that the Belgian winger is more focused on beating defenders and creating opportunities through his dribbling.

Ben Mattinson, a football analyst, has described Balikwisha as “capable of beating a defender” and “two-footed,” which makes him extremely “unpredictable.” This unpredictability could be a valuable asset for Celtic, who often rely on their wingers to create scoring opportunities.

Balikwisha’s Experience and Achievements

Michel-Ange Balikwisha has already achieved significant success in his young career. Last season, he helped Royal Antwerp win the Belgian Pro League and Coupe de Belgique, ending the club’s 66-year wait for a league title. Balikwisha also scored in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, although his team ultimately lost 3-2.

This season, Balikwisha has been limited to just one appearance due to injury, but he is now back to full fitness and ready to contribute to his team. With Celtic potentially offering him a chance to play in the Scottish Premiership and compete in European competitions, Balikwisha may be tempted to make the move to Glasgow.

Celtic’s January Transfer Plans

As the January transfer window approaches, Celtic are expected to be active in the market. The team has already been linked with several players, including Michel-Ange Balikwisha. With Luis Palma potentially departing the club, Celtic may need to find a replacement winger, and Balikwisha could be the perfect fit.

Nicolas Kühn, Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyun-jun, and James Forrest are all currently competing for a place out-wide in Celtic’s squad. However, Balikwisha’s unique blend of dribbling skills, pace, and goal-scoring ability could make him a valuable addition to the team.

Conclusion

Celtic’s interest in Michel-Ange Balikwisha is certainly intriguing. The Belgian winger’s skills and experience make him a potential replacement for Jota, and his availability could be too good for Celtic to pass up. As the January transfer window approaches, Celtic supporters will be eagerly watching to see if Balikwisha will become the team’s latest signing.