Celtic are in the market to add another winger to their first-team squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign after they sold Nicolas Kuhn to Italian side Como and lost Jota to injury.
The Hoops have reportedly placed Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha at the top of their wishlist to fill their need for a new flanker this summer.
If the Scottish Premiership giants can get a deal over the line for the Belgian winger, who produced four goals and three assists in 12 Pro League starts last season, Brendan Rodgers could have a strong threat on the left flank.
Celtic are not only looking to sign an attacker for the left side of their team, though, as the club are also looking for another left-back option to compete with Kieran Tierney.
Celtic exploring deal for new left-back
The Scotland international has missed 45 games through injury in the last two seasons combined, which means that it is likely that the Hoops are going to need a high-quality second-choice left-back to step in when required.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, Rodgers has identified Cercle Brugge left-back Flavio Nazinho as a candidate to come in as the back-up to Tierney next season.
The journalist claims that the Hoops are exploring the possiblity of a deal to sign the 21-year-old defender, who played for Portugal at the U21 Euros this summer.
Joseph adds that the Premiership champions are yet to make an offer for the left-footed starlet, but they are interested in signing him and watched the defender in action for his country at the U21 Euros.
Why Celtic should sign Nazinho
The Hoops should press ahead with a swoop for the Cercle Brugge full-back this summer because he could be a fantastic back-up to Tierney and a dream signing for Balikwisha.
As a right-footed left-winger, Balikwisha is a forward who likes to cut inside from the left to score and create goals on his favoured foot, which is why Celtic need to partner him with a left-back who carries an overlapping threat to draw attention away from opposition defenders.
Nazinho is the perfect profile of left-back to allow Balikwisha, and Jota when he returns from his injury, to thrive at the top end of the pitch, as he has the quality to cause problems for defenders with his runs forward.
Appearances
29
Starts
18
xG
1.46
Goals
2
Big chances created
7
xA
4.89
Assists
6
Key passes per game
1.4
As you can see in the table above, the Portuguese gem showcased his ability to get forward in the Pro League last term, with nine goals and ‘big chances’ created in just 18 starts, which shows that he likes to bomb on and provide a threat in the final third on a regular basis.
The 21-year-old talent, who was described as an “exciting” young prospect by the Daily Record’s Keith Jackson, also showcased the defensive side of his game at the U21 Euros, winning 76% of his duels and making 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game across four appearances.
Nazinho is a left-back, therefore, who can combine defensive solidity with attacking work rate and flair, which is why he would be a dream signing to come in alongside Balikwisha this summer.
His attacking qualities could make opposition right-backs think twice about what to do when Balikwisha has the ball and Nazinho is bombing down the left on the overlap, potentially creating more space for the winger to cut inside onto his right foot.
Celtic can land this summer's Engels by signing a star who's "like Ronaldo"
Celtic are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be this summer’s Arne Engels.
1 ByDan EmeryJul 13, 2025
Therefore, the Hoops should be pushing hard to bring in both Nazinho and Balikwisha this summer because, at the ages of 21 and 24, they could be a pairing that brings success down the left flank for many years to come at Parkhead.