STRIKER Michel-Ange Balikwisha, rated at £5million by Royal Antwerp, has revealed he rejected a move to Celtic in the transfer window.
And the 23-year-old frontman explained why he chose to remain at the Belgium club – for the time being.
The Hoops drew a blank as they stepped up their efforts to sign a successor for Kyogo Furuhashi who quit in a £10million switch for French outfit Rennes.
Brondby hitman Mathias Kvistgaarden appeared to be Brendan Rodgers’ priority target, but the champions baulked at the £11million asking price for the 22-year-old forward who has yet to represent Denmark at full international level.
Once the deadline had passed, the Parkhead club were left with only Adam Idah as their main attack-leader with Republic of Ireland Under-21 Johnny Kenny as back-up.
TARGET MAN…£5m-rated Michel-Ange Balikwisha claims he was on Celtic’s wanted list.
However, Balikwisha, who had been been forced to miss the opening months of the season following a muscle tear, claimed Scotland’s trophy kings made a move to take from Antwerp where has 18 months still run on his contract.
He said: “Celtic’s interest was concrete, but I chose to stay. Leaving with an injury was not ideal for me.
“I would rather take good care of myself so I could be ready for the play-offs.
“We will see in the summer transfer window.”
Balikwisha, speaking in a report in the Daily Record, added: “I’m still searching for sharpness in front of goal, but that will come back in time.
“I’m happy that everything is going well. It feels good to touch the ball again. I’ve had highs and lows and I’ve had two surgeries.
“There was something wrong with the stitching. That’s why the recovery period took longer than expected.
“I could have continued playing, but you don’t want to play football in pain. Then I chose to rehabilitate on an individual basis – something the club agreed to – to feel 100 per cent again.”
