Michel-Ange Balikwisha recently made headlines by revealing that he had rejected an opportunity to transfer to Celtic Park during the last transfer window. The talented winger had been on Celtic’s radar since Brendan Rodgers’ return in the summer of 2023, sparking speculation about a potential move. Unfortunately, a significant injury setback dashed Celtic’s hopes of securing Balikwisha’s signature.
Despite Royal Antwerp player catching the eye of Celtic’s recruitment team at Lennoxtown, a lengthy recovery period kept him out of reach for the Hoops. Balikwisha shared that the club did make a renewed offer for him in the recent January transfer window. However, he made the difficult decision to prioritize his recovery and declined the move to Scotland for the time being. With 18 months remaining on his current contract, Balikwisha expressed his desire to fully regain his fitness before making any decisions about his future in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Reflecting on his journey, Balikwisha mentioned that he had experienced both highs and lows, undergoing two surgeries during his recovery process. Despite facing challenges with his rehabilitation, the winger emphasized the importance of feeling 100% before returning to competitive play. By choosing to focus on individual recovery work, Balikwisha aimed to ensure that he could perform at his best when he eventually returns to the pitch.
While Celtic successfully brought Jota back to the club from Rennes in January, they continue to seek additional attacking options following the departure of Kyogo. Although there were rumors linking Celtic with other potential transfers, such as Sondre Ørjasæter, no further moves materialized. With Balikwisha’s comments hinting at a possible reconsideration of a transfer to Celtic in the future, fans may anticipate the club revisiting their interest in the promising winger when the summer transfer window opens, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Champions League qualifiers.
