Latest news with #RoyalAntwerp
Glasgow Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic transfer latest as agent gives Balikwisha update
The Royal Antwerp winger has been a target for some time but the player's agent has confirmed there are no discussions. The 24-year-old has been on the radar since last year and was believed to be a potential signing until he sustained an injury. The latest speculation suggested a move could be imminent, with Antwerp's manager Stef Wils indicating an exit for the player was "very possible." Balikwisha is in the final year of his contract, and the Belgian club are open to selling to generate funds. He said: "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]] manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to strengthen his squad, particularly in the winger position, after selling Nicolas Kuhn to Como for £17 million. However, no approach has been made for Balikwisha yet.
The National
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Michel-Ange Balikwisha's agent gives clarity on Celtic talk
The Royal Antwerp winger has been on Brendan Rodgers' radar for some time and it has been claimed talks have been ongoing with a view to bringing him to Glasgow. They were taking a look last summer and in January and were believed to be ready to move until he picked up an injury. The latest update suggested there could be movement soon as the Belgian side's manager Stef Wils claimed an exit from the club for the 24-year-old was "very possible." Read more: Balikwisha is in the last year of his contract and Antwerp are happy to try and cash in to raise much needed funds to bring in players of their own. However, things may not be as far down the road as had been thought. The player's agent, Jibril Rekkab, has told the Daily Record that Balikwisha would be open to making the move. However, he says there are no current talks between the parties and Celtic would have to submit an approach to get the ball rolling. He said: "Michel-Ange is not closed to the idea of joining Celtic, but the club would still have to come forward. No discussions are underway." Brendan Rodgers wants to sign wingers after selling Nicolas Kuhn to Como for £17million.
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Michel Ange Balikwisha to Celtic transfer addressed by agent as winger's private feelings made clear
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. Brendan Rodgers is looking to add more firepower to his frontline - with a new winger on the Parkhead shopping list this summer. 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. 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. 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. '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. "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.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Club expect to receive official Man Utd transfer bid for goalkeeper 'soon'
Manchester United have firmed up their interest in Senne Lammens and Royal Antwerp are expecting a bid for the goalkeeper in due course, according to reports in Belgium. Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon remain United's only additions of the summer transfer window on the back of the club's wretched 2024/25 campaign under Ruben Amorim. But the Red Devils are understood to made a significant breakthrough in their attempts to sign Bryan Mbeumo and forward's move from Brentford is set to be officially confirmed over the coming days. Determined to further strengthen Amorim's squad from back to front, United's hierarchy will quickly focus their attentions on finding an upgrade for Andre Onana once Mbeumo arrives through the doors at the Theatre of Dreams. Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, Porto's Diogo Costa and Lille's Lucas Chevalier are all understood to be on United's radar as Old Trafford bosses look to address the side's miserable defensive record in recent seasons. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Meanwhile, Belgian publication HLN report that Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Lammens, 23, finds himself at the top of United's shortlist of potential solutions between the sticks, with the club's interest 'becoming more concrete'. The report adds that Antwerp believe there is a 'good chance' that United will make an official offer for Lammens 'soon'. It's claimed the Belgian Pro League outfit are hoping to receive a bid in the region of €15-20million (£13-17.3m) for the former Belgium Under-21 international. While Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray are also monitoring Lammens' situation, the 'keeper is said to be holding out for a move to one of Europe's top five leagues. Lammens' current contract in Antwerp runs through to June 2027. United have been keeping close tabs on Lammens' progress in Belgian football for the past six months and, in February, the young goalkeeper told Gazet van Antwerpen he was flattered to learn of the club's interest. In the same interview, the ex-Club Brugge man also argued that his game was perfectly suited to the Premier League, which he branded 'the best competition in the world'. 'The first time I heard it, I thought, 'Wow! Immediately a world team is following you', and that is special,' Lammens said. 'Of course, I was also asked about it a lot, and when I made a save in training 'Those top clubs have so many scouts and follow so many players so it doesn't have to mean anything yet. It will only become clear in the summer whether anything will come of it. But of course, it is only positive. 'Especially because it is just about the best competition in the world and my profile – my stature and way of playing – is suitable for English football. 'You have to physically hold your own there and that suits me. 'You do follow the teams that follow you a bit. But it's not like I'm watching full matches. Summaries are enough.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: 'That's crazy' – Paul Pogba questions Man Utd decision to let go of 'great player' MORE: Arsenal fans convinced Mikel Arteta dropped major Viktor Gyokeres hint during press conference MORE: 'Hard to come by' – Man Utd urged to sign £34m former Chelsea star
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Biggest hint yet that Celtic could FINALLY seal deal for long-term transfer target as manager admits star could be sold
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC have been given the biggest green light yet when it comes to the pursuit of one of their top transfer targets. The Hoops have already added six new players this summer but Brendan Rodgers won't be stopping there. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Michel-Ange Balikwisha (c), has been a key man for Royal Antwerp Credit: AFP So far Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Callum Osmand, Benjamin Nygren, Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada have arrived at Celtic Park in the current window. But one name who's been mentioned in connection with a move to the Parkhead club long before some of them is Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Celtic have been tracking him for over a year now but the speculation has intensified in the past couple of months. Indeed, Balikwisha missed training last week amid the ongoing interest from the Hoops. That came after reports suggesting a deal was close and that Celtic were ready to offer up a hefty sum to land the winger. But he has been used in pre-season friendlies by boss Stef Wils and scored in a recent win over Willem II. But the Antwerp manager, who is fearing a fire sale at the club as they desperately look to raise funds, concedes they may have to cash in on Balikwisha. When asked directly about the possibility of selling the 24-year-old forward, he said: "That's possible, yes. "I'm just working with the guys who are here at the moment. They all have the qualities to play here, so it would be foolish not to use them." Balikwisha started his professional career with Standard Liege, scoring nine goals in 40 appearances during his breakout 2020-21 season. Former Celtic star Greg Taylor stuns PAOK team-mates as he belts out Abba tune for his initiation song He played over 40 games in two of the last three seasons, with injuries limiting his playing minutes during the most recent campaign. But the Belgian still managed four goals in 16 matches. The fee is as yet unknown. Balikwisha is in the last year of his contracr and valued at around £6m by Transfermarkt. 2 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
