Antwerp is in negotiations with Brazilian top club CR Flamengo over a potential transfer for winger Anthony Valencia. HLN Voetbal reported the talks this week as the club prepares for an away fixture against league leaders Standard Liege. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian has one year remaining on his contract at the Bosuil Stadium.
A move for Anthony Valencia would mark another turn in his four-year spell at Antwerp, a period defined by highs and lows often interrupted by injury. He started this season strongly, however, scoring three goals. If he leaves, the club already has a potential successor in-house. Nineteen-year-old Daniel Mejia is viewed as the dream successor for the wing position. It's not ruled out that Antwerp might still seek reinforcement for the flank, especially with a busy schedule ahead. The club currently sits sixth in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from three games and a +4 goal difference.
Another Belgian international on the move this week is Arthur Theate. The 26-year-old centre-back is returning to Italian Serie A side Bologna on a loan deal from Eintracht Frankfurt, which includes a purchase option. Theate moved to Frankfurt in the summer of 2024, making 55 total appearances where he scored once and provided one assist. His return to Italy means a reunion with national team coach Domenico Tedesco, who started him at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Arthur Theate developed in the youth academies of Racing Genk and Standard. He made his professional debut for KV Oostende in August 2020. A year later, Oostende loaned him to Bologna, who made the move permanent in the summer of 2022 for a fee of seven million euros. In that same transfer window, Stade Rennes paid nineteen million euros for him. Theate made his senior debut for Belgium in November 2021 under Roberto Martínez. He played three times at the recent World Cup under Rudi Garcia and now has 36 caps. Bologna finished eighth in Serie A last season.
Another player with an Antwerp past is also on the move. Michel-Ange Balikwisha, the 25-year-old Congolese forward, is joining AA Gent on a one-season loan from Celtic. The deal includes a purchase option. Celtic bought him from Antwerp last summer for five million euros. AA Gent had been seeking attacking reinforcement, with coach Rik De Mil previously calling the needed player "a big change". For Antwerp itself, the focus remains on the pitch. They are five points behind leaders Charleroi and face a key away match against third-placed Standard Liege. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page and follow the live table via standings.
The coming days are critical for squad planning. A potential Valencia departure could free up budget, while the core group must focus on the league campaign. The away game against Standard, a direct rival, is a first major test. Antwerp's defence, which has conceded five goals so far, will need to be solid. The developments around Valencia and the form of the current squad will shape the narrative in the weeks ahead.
