Michel Ange Balikwisha to Celtic transfer addressed by agent as winger's private feelings made clear

Daily Record

5 days ago

The winger is in demand this summer and Royal Antwerp look to boost their coffers
Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha's agent has lifted the lid on a potential move to Celtic.
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Brendan Rodgers is looking to add more firepower to his frontline - with a new winger on the Parkhead shopping list this summer.
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Reports in Belgium had suggested that 24-year-old Baliikwisha is a target for the Scottish Premiership champions with claims that a deal was "close" to bring wide man to Glasgow's east end.
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Sporting director at cash-strapped Antwerp Marc Overmars has admitted that the club are open to selling their key men - with Balikwisha expected to be on the list of departures with his contract set to expire next summer.
However, the player's representative Jibril Rekkab insists that while the Belgian is not against the idea of a move to Celtic - but talks have yet to take place.
He told Record Sport: "Michel-Ange is not closed to the idea of joining Celtic, but the club would still have to come forward. No discussions are underway."
Celtic have been keen on the 24-year-old winger for more than a year and were ready to move before he suffered his last injury.
The Hoops have already sold Nicolas Kuhn to Como for more than £17 million and Balikwisha is one of their top wide options they see as his replacement.
Meanwhile, Celtic have been urged to put their best bid forward if they want to firm up their interest in Cukaricki midfielder Andrei Bacanin.
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The 18-year-old has also been linked with Ajax, Udinese and rivals Rangers. Cukaricki sports director Vladimir Matijasevic has admitted that their young Serb is likely to be sold amidst growing interest over the next week or so.
Matijasevic said: 'There is a lot of interest in our young players and currently the focus is on the transfer of Andrej Bačanin.
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'He attracted the attention of numerous clubs by playing for our team last season, but also for the Serbian national team at his age.
'We've had calls from Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, Ajax, Udinese, and some other teams are interested.
'It is possible that some other options will appear and I expect the transfer to be realized in the next ten days.
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"I expect that this will be another big outgoing transfer from Čukaricki, which would cover the budget of our club".
The Hoops are also likely to confirm Marco Tilio's move to Rapid Vienna in the coming days.
Record Sport revealed that the Austrians were closing in on a deal for the Australian international.
The move will see Tilio move to Rapid on an initial loan with an obligation to buy for around £1.5 million after he makes a set amount of appearances.