Michel-Ange Balikwisha has criticised Celtic's handling of his transfer status, alleging that the Scottish club rejected a loan offer from an MLS side earlier this year. The 25-year-old forward, currently on a season-long loan at KAA Gent, claimed the move would have helped him maintain international contention. Speaking to the media in Belgium following his recent goal against Zulte Waregem, Balikwisha stated: "A three-month loan deal from the MLS was offered, but ultimately Celtic refused the loan. That was when I knew immediately the World Cup was gone for me."
The DR Congo international joined Celtic from Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of €5.2 million. However, he struggled to establish himself in Glasgow, making 13 appearances for the club without scoring, and has not featured competitively for Celtic since January. His move to KAA Gent, confirmed on 29 August 2026, was sanctioned to provide the forward with regular football under head coach Rik De Mil. The loan agreement includes a purchase option, which reports indicate is valued at approximately €3.5 million.
The decision to sanction his departure came as part of a wider restructuring of the Celtic squad, which also saw the exits of several other first-team players. For Gent, the temporary deal allows the club to evaluate the player's tactical fit within a side that has performed strongly in the early stages of the domestic season. De Mil has utilised Balikwisha across the attacking line, looking for the technical quality and versatility he previously demonstrated during his time at Royal Antwerp, where he secured a domestic league and cup double in 2023.
Regarding his long-term prospects, Balikwisha expressed confidence that a return to consistent form could significantly impact his market valuation. "If Gent exercises the option, they can immediately resell me for £15-20 million," he told reporters. The forward remains focused on re-establishing the form that made him a key figure in Belgium, with his immediate objective being to secure a regular starting berth in De Mil's side throughout the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign. Whether that level of performance justifies a permanent transfer will be determined by both the player's output and the club's financial strategy at the end of the season.
