Celtic ahead Michel-Ange Balikwisha made his debut in Martin O’Neill’s second recreation within the dugout towards Auchinleck Talbot on Sunday.
The Democratic Republic of Congo nationwide staff, getting back from the African Cup of Nations, began within the quantity 10 place towards the semi-professional staff, however did not make a lot of an affect on the match, successful 2-0 with objectives from Johnny Kenny and Sebastian Tunekuti.
Celtic agreed a deal price as much as £5 million to signal Balikwisha from Normal Liege in the summertime switch window, however he has thus far did not match that worth.
In line with Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old Flop has failed to attain and supplied two assists in 13 video games for the Hoops this season, squandering his newest probability to impress towards lower-league opponents.
Celtic open bid to signal new ahead
Balikwisha could not have many possibilities to show his Parkhead profession round. The membership are reportedly contemplating signing a participant who could be a major improve over him.
In line with SportsWorldGhana, Celtic made a proposal to signal Crystal Palace winger Jesrun Raku Saki within the January switch window.
An accompanying report claims the Hoops have made a “new” bid to signal the left-footed ahead, who just lately returned from a mortgage spell with Turkish facet Rizespor.
The article follows a report that emerged over the weekend explaining that the Scottish giants have been in talks with Palace to signal the winger on mortgage with an possibility or obligation to signal him completely for £8 million.
Sports activities World Ghana backs up information over the weekend stating that the Hoops need a buy-out possibility and the Eagles need it to be compulsory, which is a impasse in negotiations, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not this “recent” bid might be sufficient to get a deal completed.
Why Rak-Sakyi is an improve to Balikwisha
As talked about above, Balikwisha has struggled this season with out scoring a single purpose in a Celtic shirt, and Lak-Saki might arrive as a major improve to O’Neill.
In line with Sofascore, for the reason that begin of the 2024/25 season, the DRC worldwide has scored 5 objectives and supplied 4 assists in 34 appearances for Normal Liege and the Hoops, which reveals he has had little affect on the prime finish of the pitch.
Celtic want extra high quality gamers within the ahead areas, each when it comes to objectives and assists. Due to this fact, they need to proceed to attempt to attain an settlement with Palace for Lak Saky.
Because the begin of final season, the English winger has scored 11 objectives and supplied three assists in 47 video games for Sheffield United and Rizespor, in response to Sofascore, suggesting he’s a a lot greater risk in entrance of purpose than Balikwisa.
Described as “devastating” by Below-23 scout Antonio Mango for his tempo and high quality, Lak Sakii scored 4 objectives in simply 11 Tremendous Lig appearances within the first half of this season earlier than returning to Palace.
25/26 | Raku Saki (Tremendous Rig) | Balikwisha (Prime Minister) |
|---|---|---|
Look | 11 | 7 |
the purpose | 4 | 0 |
Variety of photographs on the right track per recreation | 0.8 | 0.1 |
An enormous alternative has arisen | 2 | 1 |
help | 1 | 1 |
Variety of profitable dribbles per recreation | 1.4 | 0.0 |
dribbling success price | 44% | 0% |
Statistics by Sofascore | ||
As might be seen from the desk above, the left-footed star was far more practical than Balikwisha on the prime finish of the pitch within the 2025/26 season, particularly as a goalscorer and ball service.
In a position to play huge or centrally as a striker or quantity 10 (transfermarkt), Lak Sakiy has often proven that he can dribble previous opponents, finishing 1.4 dribbles per recreation for Sheffield United within the Championship.
Balikwisha’s lack of potential with the ball at his toes has been significantly irritating this season. He has not accomplished a dribble in seven video games within the Scottish Premiership, and this is among the the reason why he has been unable to create possibilities towards different gamers.
Nonetheless, Palace’s £8m-rated ahead has the standard with the ball, capable of weave previous gamers and create possibilities within the last third. That is why he is such an thrilling participant.
A greater deal than Kovacevic: Celtic might improve Kenny for £6.5m
Celtic might strike a fair higher deal than Franco Kovacevic by raiding this reported goal.
It’s now as much as the Scottish giants to finalize a take care of Palace to deliver the left-footed ace to Parkhead as a significant improve to Balikwisha earlier than the expiry of the validity interval.
