Celtic will be eager to get the £5 million player a move before this summer transfer window slams shut.
It is hard to feel any kind of positivity around Celtic at the moment. The collapse away in Austria against LASK, failing to qualify despite having a 4-0 aggregate lead with less than 60 minutes to go in the tie, might have been the lowest point in supporting the Hoops for many of the supporters.
All we can do is move on though. There is not much time to dwell on that result as a league game against Falkirk is going to be played this weekend.
At the same time, we are also heading towards the close of the summer transfer window. And once again, there are question marks over the recruitment.
Other than his hattrick against Kilmarnock, Hogh has not been impressive in any other game this season. Camilo Duran is being played out of position, as a result of which Haissem Hassan is starting on the bench. And while Mika Baur looks a steady presence, he is not one who will win games for the Hoops.
More additions are needed before deadline day. But with the Champions League money slipping through Celtic's fingers, one can rest assured that the effect will be felt on the rest of the window.
Celtic eager to find £5m player a new home
Amid all this, it looks like Celtic are still eager to part ways with one of the players who does not have a role in the team anymore.
As reported by CeltsAreHere, journalist David Friel said on The Scottish Sun Sport’s latest Celtic transfer special:
“I think Celtic will be trying to get Michel-Ange Balikwisha off the wage bill, even for the season.”
Of course, Balikwisha's time at the club has been a bit of a nightmare. The winger has been frozen out of first-team plans for the most part. Yet, Friel seems to believe that there could be some interest in signing a player who cost Celtic £5 million just a year ago and was considered a genuine talent in Belgian football before that. The journalist added:
“I think there’ll be some interest. He’s a £5 million player. He’s not shown it, obviously, at Celtic, but he’s an international player.”
Balikwisha exit needs to happen
That would also go with previous reports that have done the rounds this summer. There have been suggestions that AC Monza, FC Basel and SV 07 Elversberg have all been keeping an eye out on Balikwisha.
Obviously, moving on Balikwisha, even on a loan deal, would be a positive step for Celtic and the player himself. It is clearly not working out at Parkhead.
That being said, it does not solve Celtic's problems. Once again, they might have somehow weakened the squad.
Also, questions need to be asked about this team's mentality. Giving away a 4-0 lead with less than an hour to go is not just a quality issue.
