Celtic have sent forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha on loan to Belgian side KAA Gent, with the club also reportedly targeting PSV Eindhoven youngster Joel Van Den Berg. The moves come as the Scottish champions, who currently sit 1st in the Premiership with six points from two wins, continue to reshape their squad after the big-money sale of Arne Engels.
What is the deal for Michel-Ange Balikwisha?
Michel-Ange Balikwisha has joined KAA Gent on a loan deal that includes an option for the Belgian club to make the move permanent for a reported £3.5 million. The 25-year-old DR Congo international arrived at Celtic Park from Royal Antwerp for £5 million in the summer of 2023. His time in Glasgow was underwhelming, yielding zero goals and just two assists across 14 total appearances. Gent manager Rik De Mil welcomed the addition, telling The Scotsman, "Balikwisha is an experienced player who knows the Belgian league well. He has proven on numerous occasions that he can make the difference." The forward joins a Gent side that recently defeated Hibernian 3-2 at Easter Road in a Thursday night Conference League qualifier.
Who is Celtic's potential midfield target?
With Arne Engels sold to West Ham United for £22 million earlier this month, Celtic are looking at potential replacements. One name linked is PSV's 19-year-old midfielder Joel Van Den Berg. The Netherlands Under-19 captain is described as a powerful, 6-foot-2 midfielder. He has made five first-team appearances for PSV but primarily features for their reserve team, Jong PSV, in the Dutch second tier. Reports claim the player was left out of Jong PSV's squad for a Friday night match against RKC Waalwijk due to transfer negotiations and is keen on a move to Glasgow. Kjeld Fort, a figure familiar with the Belgian league, said of Balikwisha, "Michel-Ange needs little introduction in the Belgian league. He is fast, goal-oriented, technically strong, and versatile."
How does this fit Celtic's current situation?
These transfer activities occur as Celtic prepare for their next Premiership fixture at home to Aberdeen on September 2nd. Brendan Rodgers' side has started the season strongly, scoring six goals and conceding only one. Their perfect record will be tested without two key players, as both Alistair Johnston and Jota are currently sidelined. The club's transfer strategy appears focused on managing the squad depth chart, which you can view on our squad page, while also balancing the books following the significant income from Engels' sale. Engels himself was a £11 million signing from German club Augsburg in 2024 when he was 20 years old.
What other players have been linked?
Beyond Van Den Berg, Celtic have been linked with other midfield options according to various reports. The club has reportedly missed out on one target, Ermin Mahmic, who joined Turkish side Corum FK. Interest has also been mentioned in Torino's Gvidas Gineitis and Hajduk Split's Niko Sigur, a player who can also operate at right-back. These links suggest a continued focus on bolstering the engine room as the squad navigates domestic and European commitments. Fans can track the team's progress at the top of the table on our standings page.
The immediate focus returns to the pitch and maintaining their early-season momentum. The loan exit for Balikwisha offers the player a fresh start and Celtic a chance to recoup a portion of their initial investment. A potential move for Van Den Berg would signal a shift towards investing in promising youth, a model previously used with Engels. How these moves develop will be key as Celtic look to build on their solid start, with their next challenge awaiting at Celtic Park.
