'Undergo a medical' - Celtic Close to Completing Deal

Now that the dust has settled on Celtic's Champions League exit, the club and the fans must look forward to what is ahead. They have been handed a somewhat navigable group phase round of fixtures in the Europa League.

Celtic will be taking on Marseille (home), Benfica (away), Ferencvaros (home), Union SG (away), Celta Vigo (home), Omonia (away), Bestikas (home) and Torreense (away).

On paper, you would think that Celtic have the ability to win these games and qualify for the next phase. But after the collapse we witnessed against LASK, there are bound to be naysayers.

It is also important for Celtic to get some business done before the summer window closes. And it looks like they are on the verge of one deal being completed.

According to Anthony Joseph, Michel-Ange Balikwisha has arrived in Belgium ahead of his move to Gent.

It’s understood that the two clubs are finalising an agreement on a loan deal, with an option to buy for £3.5 million. Balikwisha is due to undergo a medical with Gent.

Of course, this is a positive step for Celtic. Balikwisha has been out of the first-team picture for a long time now, completely frozen out of the team.

Yet, the club had paid close to £5 million to sign him just last summer. So, they need to recoup some of that fee.

Balikwisha does have a good record in Belgian football. So, that will give Celtic hope that he can rediscover his form and eventually earn himself that £3.5 million move back to Gent when his loan ends.

There are other struggling Celtic players we have seen go out and impress on loan. Luis Palma is one name that comes to mind immediately.

The Honduran earned himself a permanent move based on his performances out on loan. Can Balikwisha do the same? Time shall tell.

Also, it remains to be seen where Celtic end up improving over the final few days of the summer transfer window. This looks set to go down to deadline day once again.

Missing out on the Champions League is surely going to have an effect on the kind of business Celtic are capable of pulling off in these last few days of the summer window.

Expect the club to chase some cut-price deals and loan moves between now and the close of deadline day.