Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal with Royal Antwerp to bring winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha to Parkhead for a fee of around £5m this week.
Sky Sports reveals that the 24-year-old attacker is due to undergo a medical this week before putting pen to paper on a permanent move to Glasgow from the Belgian side.
The left-sided forward scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in the last two seasons for Royal Antwerp in all competitions, per Sofascore, and will be hoping to provide a consistent threat down the left flank for Brendan Rodgers this season.
Daizen Maeda is currently the only natural left winger in the squad, which is why the impending arrival of Balikwisha is a much-needed one for the Hoops.
Celtic closing in on deal for defender
The Scottish Premiership giants are not only looking for reinforcements down the left side on the wing, though, as they are also keen on a back-up for Kieran Tierney.
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According to Argentine outlet Diario Xeneize, Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign left-back Marcelo Saracchi from Boca Juniors before the deadline.
The report claims that the Hoops have already made one offer for the defender, proposing a loan with an option to make it permanent, but it was rejected by the Argentine side.
It adds that Celtic are now expected to return with an offer of a straight loan deal, with no option or obligation, and that Boca Juniors are willing to accept it, as they see it as a chance for the player to play football and increase his value ahead of next summer.
What Marcelo Saracchi could offer to Celtic
The 27-year-old star could be a shrewd addition to the squad as back-up and competition for Tierney, who has only played 132 minutes in two starts in the league so far.
Celtic are managing the former Arsenal full-back’s minutes and the arrival of Saracchi would help with that, because he is a natural left-back who can start or come off the bench to ensure that Rodgers has a quality alternative to the Scotland international.
The Boca Juniors full-back has been an unused substitute in five of his last nine appearances in the matchday squad, per Sofascore, which shows that he is not at the forefront of their plans, but his form in 2024 suggests that he does have something to offer to the Hoops.
Appearances
13
5
Goals
1
1
Assists
1
1
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.7
3.0
Ground duel success rate
53%
50%
Aerial duel success rate
50%
50%
As you can see in the table above, Saracchi put in solid performances in the Liga Profesional and the CONMEBOL Sudamericana last season, holding his own in physical duels whilst making several tackles and interceptions per game on average.
These statistics suggest that the Uruguay international, who previously played for Galatasaray and Levante, could be a steady operator down the left flank, providing a defensive and physical presence to allow the left winger ahead of him the freedom to stay high up the pitch.
That is why Balikwisha and Maeda could both benefit from this move because it will prevent Rodgers from playing Liam Scales out of position at left-back behind them when Tierney is unable to continue in matches.
Over the last 365 days, Saracchi ranks within the top 14% of full-backs in the Men’s Next 14 Competitions for progressive passes per 90 (5.05) per 90 and the top 4% for shot-creating actions (3.64) per 90.
This essentially means that the Uruguayan defender is well above average when it comes to progressing play down the flank, which is another reason why Balikwisha and Maeda would love him, as the full-back can consistently provide them with the ball in dangerous areas with his progressive play.