Celtic winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha is set for a return to Belgium with KAA Gent closing in on a deal for the 25-year-old.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that KAA Gent and Celtic have reached an agreement for the attacking midfielder to move to the Jupiler Pro League.

He states that the final details are currently being finalised between the various parties. At that point, it will be a done deal and Balikwisha will make his return.

Celtic struggles

The forward is yet to feature for Martin O’Neill’s side this season and only managed 745 minutes across 18 appearances in all competitions last season as well. Four of those appearances and 347 minutes came while he was still at Royal Antwerp.

The forward has never really settled in Scotland. Now he appears set for an immediate return to Belgium a year later. Tavolieri makes no mention of the fees involved at this moment in time.

Celtic paid €5.2m to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha last year so they would presumably want to recoup as much of that fee as possible before sanctioning an exit. Those details are likely being worked on and what is being finalised between the two sides.

Belgium return makes sense

A return to Belgium could suit Michel-Ange Balikwisha. He had spent his entire career in the country before his move to Celtic last year.

He’s a product of Anderlecht’s youth system before moving to Standard Liege’s youth set up in 2014.

The midfielder spent the next few years progressing up the ranks at the Belgian giants and played for their U17s, U18s and U21s between 2017 and 2020. He went on to make 40 appearances, managing nine goals and four assists for Liege. A move to Antwerp then followed.

Balikwisha made a name for himself at the latter, scoring 30 and assisting 17 in 145 games. He then made his move to Celtic last summer. He’s managed zero goals and two assists in 14 games for the Bhoys. Now he appears set to leave Celtic Park before deadline day.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR