Daily Record cover their tracks with Balikwisha ‘u-turn’

The Daily Record has quickly backtracked on claims that there are no talks going on for Celtic to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

The Royal Antwerp winger has been linked with a move to the SPFL champions since last summer but two serious muscle injuries ended Celtic’s interest.

With a year left on his contract and Antwerp having financial issues a transfer seems likely in the current transfer window but so far it has remained evasive.

Celtic’s transfer negotiations are notorious for being slow paced with low-balling bids dismissed despite the hoops probably having the jhighest bank balance in European football compared to turnover.

So far in the current transfer window Celtic are comfortably over £10m in profit but short on wingers with the season less than two weeks away.

On Monday night Mark Pirie of the Record phoned Balikwisha’s agent and was told that there were no discussions with Celtic.

On Tuesday morning then updated again at lunchtime, transfer expert Scott Burns had a different take on the situation.

The Record reported:

Balikwisha’s agent Jibril Rekkab – speaking exclusively to Record Sport – was keen to play it cool. However, we understand Celtic are primed to strike. Rekkab 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.”

Neither football agents or reporters are the most reliable sources, events can change very quickly as they all push for their individual goals and targets.

Celtic face Ajax on Thursday night with James Forrest, Yang Hjun-jun and Daizen Maeda as the only wingers with first team experience.

Brendan Rodgers is certain to be looking to strengthen that area of his squad, whether that involves Balikwisha remains to be seen.