West Ham United have now initiated first contacts over a summer deal for a “remarkable” striker, who is attracting a lot of attention from the Premier League, according to a report.
Hammers lacking an out-and-out striker
Back-to-back wins against Arsenal and Leicester City at the end of February have almost certainly staved off any lingering fears about relegation, with Jarrod Bowen bagging the only goal of the game to secure an impressive 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
However, the Hammers have since gone on to score just one goal in their last two games, with Graham Potter having to make do without an out-and-out striker, given that Niclas Füllkrug and Michail Antonio are out injured.
As such, while Bowen is enjoying another impressive season in front of goal, Potter has identified the need to bring in a new striker this summer, and Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha is among the targets, having regularly been amongst the goals in Ligue 1 this term.
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ByDominic Lund Mar 17, 2025
Potter has also told the West Ham board he wants them to sign Lille’s Jonathan David, but with Arsenal and Barcelona in the race for the Canadian’s signature, it could be difficult to get a deal done, and the manager may have to move on to other targets.
One option could be Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, with a report from Italy revealing the Hammers have now initiated first contacts over a deal for the Italian, but there may be fierce competition for his signature.
Fiorentina'sMoiseKeancelebrates after the match
A number of Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in Kean, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, although the transfer is still in the preliminary stages.
Fiorentina are protected by a €52m (£44m) release clause in the striker’s contract, but it is unclear whether they would insist on receiving the full amount.
Kean enjoying "remarkable" Serie A campaign
It is clear to see why some top Premier League clubs are coming forward for the Italy international, given his extremely impressive record in front of goal this season.
Serie A
26
15
Conference League qualifiers
2
2
Conference League
5
2
Italian Cup
1
1
CBS’s Marco Messina has also lauded the Fiorentina marksman for his “remarkable” all-round performances, suggesting he offers a lot more to his team than merely goals.
That said, while the former Everton man was undefeated against West Ham during his time with the Toffees, there will still be concern about his previous stint in the Premier League.
Kean scored just four goals in 39 games for Everton, and while it is clear he has made improvements to his game since then, his goal record in England casts doubt over whether a £44m fee is justifiable.
أعلن أحمد الكاس، المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا، عن تشكيل الفريق الذي سيخوض مواجهة العراق المقرر لها مساء اليوم الإثنين، ضمن الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الخليج للشباب، المقامة في السعودية.
وتنطلق المباراة في تمام الرابعة والنصف عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة، حيث يسعى المنتخب المصري لتعويض خسارته في الجولة الأولى أمام عمان بهدفين دون رد، والعودة للمنافسة على إحدى بطاقتي التأهل للدور نصف النهائي.
البطولة التي تستمر حتى التاسع من سبتمبر الجاري، يشارك فيها 8 منتخبات، قُسمت على مجموعتين؛ تضم الأولى السعودية وقطر والكويت واليمن، بينما جاء منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثانية إلى جانب العراق وعمان والبحرين.
طالع أيضاً.. أحمد الكاس: منتخب مصر جاهز للمنافسة في كأس الخليج تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام العراق اليوم في كأس الخليج للشباب
حراسة المرمى: عمر عبد العزيز
خط الدفاع: حمزة الدجوي، محمد البنداري، أدهم فريد، مهند الشامي
خط الوسط: عمر أبوطالب، أنس رشدي، محمد حمد
خط الهجوم: إبراهيم النجعاوي، عبد العزيز الزغبي، حمزة عبد الكريم
da esport bet： O Palmeiras registrou um superávit de R$ 18,2 milhões no ano de 2022, primeiro ano de mandato da presidente Leila Pereira. Os números foram apresentados pela administração do clube em reunião realizada na última quarta-feira (1º), no Conselho de Orientação e Fiscalização (COF) da equipe alviverde.
O acumulado apresentou as contas no azul mesmo com um déficit de R$ 3,3 milhões referentes ao mês de dezembro. A aprovação do balancete do último mês do ano passado se deu justamente por conta do superávit no apanhado geral.
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As informações sobre o superávit e a reunião foram publicadas inicialmente pelo ‘ge’ e confirmadas pelo LANCE!, que teve acesso aos números apresentados pela gestão palmeirense no encontro.
No total, a arrecadação do Palmeiras em 2022 foi de R$ 790,5 milhões, sendo as fontes de renda: negociações (R$ 173,8), cotas relacionadas aos direitos de transmissão (R$ 168), acordos comerciais/patrocínios (R$ 133,5 milhões) e premiações (R$ 94,5).
+ Confira a tabela do Paulistão e simule os jogos da última rodada da primeira fase
Todos os números apresentados ao COF foram superiores aos estimados para a temporada passada. A previsão feita no fim de 2021, visando 2022, era de um superávit de R$ 14,1 milhões (R$ 4,1 milhões a menos do que o número final). As estimativas de entradas e saídas financeiras também foram maiores do que as planejadas. A arrecadação foi R$ 165,5 mi superior ao que era previsto, enquanto as despesas foram R$ 141 milhões acima do estipulado – as saídas foram R$ 731 milhões, sendo que a previsão era de R$ 590.
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Para 2023, o Palmeiras prevê novo superávit, mas inferior ao registrado no ano passado. A previsão orçamentária para esta temporada é que o clube termine R$ 13,8 milhões no azul.
Amad Diallo followed Harry Maguire's lead by attending Sunderland's Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Coventry on Tuesday.
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Amad attends Sunderland's play-off semi-final
Played for Mackems in 2022-23 season
Team-mate Maguire was at Sheffield United on Monday
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Amad played for the Mackems on loan from Manchester United in the 2022-23 season and was present to watch his old side progress to Wembley in dramatic fashion. His attendance came 24 hours after Maguire was spotted watching his old Sheffield United side also book their place at Wembley for the play-off final.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Amad featured for Sunderland in the play-offs two years ago when they were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Luton Town at the semi-final stage. He remains a hugely popular figure at the Stadium of Light, hence his return this week.
DID YOU KNOW?
Maguire was born in Sheffield and is a Blades academy product, eventually leaving for Hull City in 2014. He went on to play for Wigan Athletic and Leicester City before joining Manchester United.
WHAT NEXT FOR DIALLO AND MAGUIRE?
Both players are set to feature in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur next Wednesday as they aim to win silverware for the club for the third consecutive season.
With new England boss Thomas Tuchel set to name his first squad since replacing interim coach, Lee Carsley, next week, there may well be a raft of Manchester City connections running through the Three Lions roster.
Indeed, the German tactician could once again call upon the likes of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis, while ex-Etihad star, Kyle Walker, will also be looking to maintain his regular role as he targets 100 caps for his country. Jack Grealish and John Stones will, however, likely miss out through injury.
Perhaps more interestingly, there may also be a wave of one-time City academy stars involved for the March internationals, with Cole Palmer the headline name, while the likes of Liam Delap and Morgan Rogers – who have scored 17 Premier League goals between them season – may also have an outside chance of inclusion after starring for Ipswich Town and Aston Villa, respectively.
There could even be a wildcard opportunity for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens to shine after his return of 15 goals and assists in Germany in 2024/25 to date, with the dazzling winger having departed City on a free transfer back in the summer of 2020.
That handful of names may well be joined by another former Man City asset, with Pep Guardiola having perhaps been left to regret another notable sale of recent times…
Man City's goalkeeping dilemma
Among the number of issues for Guardiola and co to resolve this season is in the goalkeeping department, with the time perhaps having come to acquire a suitable, long-term replacement for Ederson in the sticks.
The unique Brazilian – who has remarkably recorded three Premier League assists this season – had lost his place to teammate Stefan Ortega earlier in the campaign, although has managed to wrestle back his starting berth of late, having started five of the last six top-flight games.
That said, the former Benfica man hasn’t exactly enjoyed a smooth recall to the side, having notably been branded “nowhere near enough” by CBS pundit Jamie Carragher, following the 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid last month.
As Carragher stated following the 31-year-old’s costly errors in that Etihad loss, it is now “at the stage with Man City where they need a new goalkeeper”, particularly with Ederson’s contract set to expire next year.
Ortega has largely been an able deputy, yet the German ‘keeper is even older than his teammate at 32, while having also endured a mixed spell of his own, after scoring an own goal in the narrow victory over Leyton Orient.
With all that in mind – and with reports in recent weeks suggesting that City may splash the cash to sign £62m-rated Porto stopper, Diogo Costa – Guardiola may well regret selling another bright young English talent who could well have walked into the current team.
Man City already sold the perfect Ederson replacement
Ederson may have been off the boil of late, yet it is worth remembering that this is a player who has helped Guardiola’s side sweep all before them over the past eight years or so, with the Citizens having undoubtedly struck a bargain with their £35m capture of the left-footer.
Market Movers
That said, there may be a tinge of frustration that a better succession plan has not been put in place at the Etihad, outside of signing an ageing Ortega as a backup.
Indeed, there may be those – with hindsight on side – who believe that Burnley number one, James Trafford, should have been kept on board, with the 22-year-old now shining in England’s second tier.
Stat (per 90)
Ederson
Trafford
Goals against
1.22
0.27
Shots on target against
3.61
2.24
Save percentage
69.2%
87.8%
Clean sheets
0.28
0.73
Clean sheet percentage
27.8%
72.7%
Save percentage (penalties)
N/A
100%
Passes attempted
34.5
34.5
Passes completed (launched)
3.22
3.39
Pass completion
86.6%
73.6%
Crosses stopped
0.50
0.52
Tipped to potentially join the likes of Palmer in Tuchel’s England set-up, the former City academy graduate – who joined the Clarets on a £15m deal in 2023 – has been integral to Scott Parker’s promotion-chasing side this season.
The 6 foot 6 stopper has racked up a ridiculous haul of 12 successive clean sheets in the Championship, while conceding just nine times in total in the division in 2024/25.
Such form has led to notable praise from his manager, with Parker stating back in January:
Also tipped to be “world-class” by ex-teammate, Palmer, Trafford was memorably the hero at the U21 European Championship in 2023, having saved a 96th minute penalty to steer the Young Lions to victory.
Of course, the Burnley ace did endure a difficult season last term in the top-flight, after conceding 62 goals in just 28 outings, yet his form this time around has not gone unnoticed, with Newcastle United seemingly showing serious interest.
Amid those links with the Magpies, the belief is that Trafford is worth around £30m, thus marking a 100% increase in relation to his £15m fee from almost two years ago.
James Trafford
If recent signs are anything to go by, that valuation will soar even higher, with City left to regret not holding on to yet another big English talent would could well have walked into the current starting lineup.
Savio upgrade: Man City may regret selling 'the best winger in the world'
Man City might rue selling a player who has shone for his current club since leaving.
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has torn into the Gunners, declaring them the Premier League's flops of the season.
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Ex-Arsenal defender tears into Gunners
Brands them flops of the season
Believes injuries are no excuse
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Gallas, who played for Arsenal between 2006-10, insists his former side have not been good enough and that he is "disappointed" with their efforts, despite their progression to the Champions League semi-finals.
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WHAT GALLAS SAID
Gallas told : "In the Premier League, Arsenal are my flops of the season. If you compare last season and the one two years ago with this season, their performance has not been good at all. I’m sorry, I’m still disappointed in them, regardless of the Champions League. After those high quality and world class performances against Real Madrid, I wanted more from them in the league."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Gunners have been missing Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for long spells of the campaign, falling behind newly-crowned champions Liverpool. Gallas is "furious" about their domestic efforts and says they have one level of performance in the Premier League and another in the Champions League.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
The Gunners take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, but much of their focus will be on the second leg of their European semi-final against PSG on Wednesday. They trail the tie 1-0.
Tarik Skubal won his second consecutive Cy Young award on Wednesday, but his future in Detroit remains murky. While Skubal has emerged as one of the best pitchers in MLB over the last few years and a key part in Detroit making back-to-back postseason appearances, he has just one more year under the Tigers’ control and is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.
The Tigers still have time to try and extend Skubal, but recent reports have suggested that the two sides are not closely aligned on a deal, with Jon Heyman of the reporting last month that the sides were $250 million apart on an extension.
More: Top Tarik Skubal Trade Destinations
If Skubal and the Tigers cannot get any closer on a deal, Skubal will become a free agent in 2026. Alternatively, if the Tigers realize a deal won’t get done, they could try to trade him to ensure they get a return for the ace.
With trade rumors surrounding Skubal, Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg said Wednesday, “We love Tarik, obviously. It’s pretty obvious what means to this organization. He’s a fantastic pitcher, he’s a Detroit Tiger. We’re never going to talk about our players in the context of trades, but we’re lucky to have him. He’s been a huge piece to what we’ve done.”
When pressed further about whether it’s an obligation to listen to calls regarding Skubal if they don’t have him signed beyond the next season, Greenberg replied, “Again, it’s not something we’re going to discuss in this context, and I’d say that about any of our players. He’s got one year of control, that’s part of the process as it is for everybody in this system. He’s a Tiger. We’re fortunate to have him. That’s the reality right now.”
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris, who is the team’s decision-maker, had a similar message last month when addressing Skubal’s future. He said in October, “I can’t comment on our players being traded, I can’t comment on free agents and I can’t comment on other teams’ players. So I’m going to respond by just not actually commenting on it. … He’s an incredible pitcher and we’re lucky to have him. That’s all I can say on that.”
Skubal himself said Wednesday, via Evan Petzold of , “Contract extension stuff is a little bit different, but trade stuff is out of my control. I've given everything I have to this organization. I want to be a Tiger for a very long time. … I love Detroit. Hopefully, I'm here. That's where I'm at with all of that."
Joao Felix's move to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr has sparked criticism from his former Atletico Madrid team-mate Saul Niguez, who claims that the Portuguese forward has failed to maximise his potential due to a lack of hard work. Saul insists talent is "worthless" without the work ethic to back it up, and has revealed that "many of us tried to help" Felix during his turbulent years in Europe.
Ex-team-mates tried helping Felix during struggles
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Earlier this week, Felix completed his transfer to Al-Nassr from Chelsea in a deal worth up to €50 million, ending a rocky period in European football. The 25-year-old struggled for form during loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona following a €126 million (£109m) move to Atletico Madrid in 2019 from Benfica. Felix joined Chelsea permanently last summer but soon fell out of favour under Enzo Maresca, and after a forgettable loan stint at AC Milan, he has now left Europe for a new challenge in Saudi Arabia. His decision to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League has drawn major scrutiny from fans and pundits alike, with Saul blasting the forward for his lack of hard work.
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WHAT SAUL SAID
Speaking on , Saul said: "Football is a team game. He has all the qualities to be an incredible player, but no matter how good you are, if you don't work hard, it's worthless. I heard a quote from Paco Jemez that said talent without hard work is nothing… Many of us have tried to help Joao, but if one doesn't want to…"
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Once hailed as one of Europe’s most exciting talents, Felix has failed to live up to the hype. His inconsistency and nomadic club career have raised concerns about his motivation and long-term ambitions. A move to Saudi Arabia at just 25 has further fuelled the debate over young stars chasing money over legacy.
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WHAT NEXT FOR FELIX?
Felix has already made his friendly debut for Al-Nassr, featuring alongside Ronaldo against Toulouse. Whether the move rejuvenates his career or accelerates his decline remains to be seen. The 25-year-old faces growing pressure to prove that his talent still holds value on the pitch.
Anderson’s story is remarkable because of the improvement he’s shown with his bowling in this period
S Rajesh11-Feb-2021When James Anderson defeated the defences of Ajinkya Rahane with a stunner on the final day of the Chennai Test, he went on top of the list for most wickets taken by a fast bowler after the age of 30. That wicket was Anderson’s 342nd after turning 30, and he later added Rishabh Pant to that tally as well, to increase his lead over Courtney Walsh (341) on this list.This should say a lot about Anderson’s fitness levels, and his story is even more remarkable because of the improvement he’s shown with his bowling in this period.ESPNcricinfo LtdAnderson turned 30 on July 30, 2012. Since then, he has averaged 23.45 in 87 Tests. Among the 15 fast bowlers who have taken 150 or more wickets during this period, only three – Pat Cummins, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada – have better averages. None of them, though, has taken even 60% of the number of wickets Anderson has taken in this period. In the 71 Tests Anderson played before turning 30, he averaged 30.37, which means his average has improved by almost 23% since he turned 30.ESPNcricinfo LtdBefriending the older ball
When Anderson started out he was excellent with the new ball but with the older ball in hand, he wasn’t quite as effective. In the 71 Tests he played before turning 30, he averaged 27.67 in the first 15 overs of an innings, but between overs 16 and 80, he conceded 34.54 runs per wicket.ESPNcricinfo LtdOver the last eight-and-a-half years, though, the skillset has gradually expanded to include reverse swing, cutters, changes of length, pace and angle, and greater cricketing nous which comes with experience. Not only does he have a wider range of skills now, but also seems to have a much clearer idea of the execution.The results are there for all to see. Since August 2012, Anderson’s average in the first 15 overs has improved marginally – from 27.67 to 25.09 – but in the 16 to 80 overs range, the difference is stark: from 34.54, the average has dropped to 24.16, an improvement of 30%.Among the 23 fast bowlers who have bowled at least 500 overs during this phase of an innings in this period, only three have better averages – the South African trio of Rabada, Steyn and Vernon Philander.ESPNcricinfo LtdOvercoming the Asian challenge
For a bowler like Anderson, whose innate strength is the ability to swing the ball, doing well in Asia is a huge challenge. Before 2012, he played only five Tests in the continent, taking 12 wickets at 45.41. Then, in early 2012 – just before he turned 30 – he played back-to-back series in the UAE against Pakistan and in Sri Lanka. Though he didn’t take a huge number of wickets – 18 in five Tests – he was giving little away: those 18 wickets came at an average of 24.72, and an economy rate of 2.46.That was followed by a solid series in India, and though he had a lean time in Asia between 2016 and 2018, he has bounced back superbly this time around: he had a match haul of 6 for 46 in Galle, which was followed by 5 for 63 against India in Chennai. Since turning 30, Anderson concedes nearly nine fewer runs per wicket in Asia, compared to his numbers before he turned 30.ESPNcricinfo LtdHowever, with Anderson, it’s not only the wickets that matter; it’s also the control he provides to the team with his ability to choke the run-flow: among the 13 non-Asian fast bowlers who have bowled at least 200 overs in Asia since the beginning of 2012, Anderson’s economy rate of 2.4 is the best, marginally better than Philander’s 2.5.The extra bows in Anderson’s armoury have been even more useful in Asia, as they have made him a threat even with the older ball, something that wasn’t necessarily true in the early days of his career. Before he turned 30, Anderson averaged 47.77 runs per wicket between overs 16 and 80, and had a strike rate of 101 balls per wicket. Since then, the average has improved to 22.72. Nowhere was that improvement more evident than in the 27th over of India’s second innings in Chennai, when those two wickets of Shubman Gill and Rahane decisively swung the game England’s way.ESPNcricinfo LtdHowever, his numbers in Australia haven’t improved as dramatically – he averaged 35.79 in eight Tests there before turning 30, and 35.09 in ten Tests since then – but his last series there was pretty impressive: 17 wickets at 27.82, conceding just 2.11 runs per over.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe matchwinner
In the post-30 phase of Anderson’s career, England have won 37 of 87 matches he has been part of, and in those 37 wins, Anderson has taken 170 wickets at a stunning average of 16.43. Among the 23 bowlers who have taken at least 75 wickets in wins during this period, no one has a better average. In defeats or draws, the average goes up to 30.36. His numbers in wins illustrate just how important Anderson is, even at 38, to England’s Test fortunes.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that the club will bring in another central defender before the transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
The Hoops swooped to sign Hayato Inamura on a permanent deal earlier this month, but the Japanese defender is one for the future and another option in that area of the pitch is expected.
Rodgers already has Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Dane Murray, Stephen Welsh, and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the centre-back positions, on top of the signing of Inamura, and they are looking for another.
CelticWay have reported that the club are weighing up a possible move to sign Dutch central defender Justin De Haas from Famalicão to add to their ranks.
The 25-year-old, left-footed, titan is valued at £3m by the Portuguese outfit, and could come in to compete for a place at the heart of the Hoops defence.
The role that Justin De Haas could play for Celtic
The potential signing of the Famalicão titan is an interesting one for the Scottish giants, because it would leave Rodgers with three left-footed centre-back options, in him, Scales, and Trusty.
Last season, the manager said that he prefers to play centre-backs on the side of their stronger foot because it “allows you to get through the pitch quicker and have more speed playing forward”, which suggests that De Haas will be competing with Trusty and Scales.
Based on their respective performances at league level in the 2024/25 campaign, De Haas’ biggest hurdle to making the starting XI could be the Ireland international.
Trusty joined from Sheffield United last summer and endured a difficult campaign in Scotland, as he ended the season as a back-up option behind Scales, and the Dutch star could come in as an upgrade on him.
Appearances
29
22
26
Goals
2
1
2
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.0
2.3
1.9
Dribbled past per game
0.3x
0.5x
0.2x
Clearances per game
5.4
4.0
4.8
Error led to shot
0
4
1
Error led to goal
1
1
0
Penalties committed
0
0
1
As you can see in the table above, De Haas could even offer more to the team than Scales, with more defensive actions and fewer errors leading to shots, goals, or penalties overall.
Liam Scales
This suggests that he could be a starting-calibre left-sided centre-back option for Celtic if he can translate his form over to the Scottish Premiership, but there is also the possibility that he is a second-choice to Scales, with Trusty demoted to a reserve.
Overall, given he will need to adapt to the league, De Haas could be a back-up centre-back at first, which is why their pursuit of a new winger is an even more exciting prospect.
Celtic in talks to sign new winger
According to the Daily Record, Celtic want to spend the money they are set to rake in from Como for Nicolas Kuhn to sign two new wingers this summer.
The German forward is set to sign for the Italian side for a reported fee of £16.5m, which will provide the Hoops with funds to dip into the market themselves.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
This latest report from the Daily Record states that the Scottish Premiership champions are locked in talks with Royal Antwerp over a deal for Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
The outlet states that Royal Antwerp value the forward at a fee of around £5m, but they may lower it in order to push a transfer through in the coming weeks.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha against Porto in the Champions League.
It adds that the 24-year-old attacker, who predominantly plays on the left flank, is keen on a switch to Parkhead this summer, which suggests that personal terms would not be too much of a problem if a fee can be agreed.
Why Balikwisha would be an exciting signing
Balikwisha would be an even more exciting signing than De Haas for Celtic this summer because he could slot straight into the starting XI from the first match.
Jota is set to miss the first half of the season with a knee injury, having suffered an ACL blow last term, and that has left a vacant spot on the left wing ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha for Royal Antwerp.
Until a new senior centre-forward is in the building, Daizen Maeda could continue where he left off as the starting number nine, which means that he would not be the starter on the left flank. Therefore, Balikwisha could have a free run at the left wing position to be a starter in the Premiership.
This means that, unlike De Haas, Celtic supporters could expect to see the Belgian wizard in the starting line-up when the Hoops host St Mirren at Parkhead on the opening day in August.
As well as being a potential frontline starter, which the Dutch defender may not initially be, Balikwisha could also be a more exciting signing because he is an attacking player who has the potential to deliver goals and assists.
Starts
27
12
xG
6.46
2.65
Goals
7
4
Big chances created
6
7
Key passes per game
1.5
1.6
Assists
5
3
As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha has produced 11 goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in his last 39 starts in the Belgian top-flight for Royal Antwerp.
The 24-year-old star was described as a “creative” talent by analyst Will Glavin, which is backed up by his return of seven ‘big chances’ created in 12 starts in the Pro League last season.
Balikwisha is a winger who has shown that he has the ability to deliver goals and assists at a fairly impressive rate in Belgium, which suggests that he could thrive in a dominant Celtic team that wins week-in-week-out.
The £5m-rated star could get supporters off their feet with his quality in the final third, as the anticipation could build whenever he picks the ball up in space out on the left flank.
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Therefore, the Royal Antwerp wing wizard could be an even more exciting signing than De Haas due to his potential to be an immediate starter, as well as him being an attack-minded player, rather than a centre-back.