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Transfer Latest – Michel-Ange Balikwisha set for Celtic exit
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- Transfer Latest – Michel-Ange Balikwisha set for Celtic exit
Transfer Latest – Michel-Ange Balikwisha set for Celtic exit
Michel-Ange Balikwisha heading for the exit door, despite being named in Celtic's 25 man Champions League playoff squad…
Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Celtic FC (R) tries to pass trough Souleymane Faye of Sporting CP (L) during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues
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Just a year after his £5 million move from Royal Antwerp, Celtic outcast Michel-Ange Balikwisha looks set to leave the club, with several clubs said to be interested in the Congolese international.
The former Belgian under 21 international, who the club were believed to have been tracking for quite some time, ended up making just 14 appearances in the Hoops, with most of those coming from the bench.
Despite appearing in some pre-season fixtures this summer, Balikwisha has failed to make the squad for the first two games of the campaign, and it now seems certain that Martin O'Neill doesn't believe the 25 year old has any future at the club.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Celtic is seen during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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And it's probably a relief to all concerned that he could be set to leave before the end of the transfer window according to a report from a decent source.
Transfer guru Sacha Tavolieri last night revealed that a transfer is imminent, noting that the player is a casualty of Martin O'Neill's tactical approach. That's not the case at all, Balikwisha has failed to stamp any kind of impact at Celtic, even when given a start against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup tie at Rugby Park.
18th January 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Cup, Auchinleck Talbot versus Celtic; Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Celtic and Kyle McAvoy of Auchinleck Talbot challenge for the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
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Tavolieri says that three clubs are interested in acquiring Balikwisha, with one of those clubs being newly promoted Serie A side AC Monza, whilst Swiss side FC Basel, and Bundesliga new boys SV Elversberg are also said to be seriously interested in the player.
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News of Balikwisha's exit comes on the same day that he was named in Martin O'Neill's 25 man squad for the upcoming Champions League play off matches with Austrian champions LASK.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Celtic is seen during the Premier League match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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The 25 man squad named by Martin is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Viljami Sinisalo , Ross Doohan
Defenders: Liam Scales , Auston Trusty , Cameron Carter-Vickers , Reo Hatate , Dane Murray , Anthony Ralston , Kieran Tierney
Midfielders:Hyunjun Yang, Luke McCowan , Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain , Mika Baur , Arne Engels , Callum McGregor , James Forrest
Forwards:Benjamin Nygren, Kasper Hogh, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Camilo Duran, Sebastian Tounekti , Callum Osmand , Haissem Hassan , Johnny Kenny , Adam Montgomery .
It's a strong selection, although Arne Engels will be missing as he's on the verge of completing his £25 million move to West Ham , and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the both legs due to a red card picked up when he was playing for Liverpool back at the tail end of 2023.
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The Ox will also miss Celtic's third European match as he was given a three match ban for that offence.
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