Brendan Rodgers is closing in on Celtic’s next signing after a lengthy wait to strengthen his squad.
The Northern Irishman has been frustrated in recent weeks, months even, at the length of time it has taken the Hoops boardroom and hierarchy to sign off on new players.
Earlier this summer the club moved to bring in Benji Nygren from Nordsjaelland while Hayato Inamura arrived from Japan as did Shin Yamada.
Kieran Tierney also joined his former club again from Arsenal in what was an incredible free transfer coup having sold him for £25million a few years ago.
But fans have been far from happy with their business since and let the board know with a board protest banner during their clash with Livingston last weekend.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha is close to Celtic transfer
Now, though, Celts are finally set to bring in one of the two wingers they want at Parkhead in the form of Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The wide player was not involved in Royal Antwerp’s matchday squad as they beat KV Mechelen in the league.
He did get a farewell from his teammates, though, and that seems to suggest that he is now on his way to Glasgow to be part of Rodgers’ squad as they look to retain the Scottish Premiership title this season.
Another player linked with a move to Glasgow this summer has been left-back Marcelo Saracchi, 27, who has been plying his trade with Boca Juniors in Argentina since 2023.
It is understood Saracchi could well join Celtic on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy down the line should it represent a positive and desired piece of business between all parties.
Celtic are believed to have put together a package to take Saracchi on loan but Boca are looking for more money in their future option fee while they also hope for better loan terms.
Celtic pushing for Marcelo Saracchi loan from Boca Juniors
No deal has, as yet, been struck officially between the two sides but it is a move that is gaining traction as Celtic look to replace Greg Taylor as Tierney’s deputy who left for PAOK earlier this year.
At left-back is certainly a spot Rodgers and Celtic want to improve and that is despite Inamura joining the club as a player who can play there should the manager wish to use him.
Rodgers, though, has made it clear in recent weeks – despite the 23-year-old Japanese defender showing his talents in pre-season – that he is not quite ready to make the step into the Hoops first-team.
The likelihood is that he will leave on loan before the end of the window.
