Jota to Celtic return ‘pushed’ by Ittihad amid firesale but crucial transfer trigger offers Premier League leverage

Jota to Celtic return ‘pushed’ by Ittihad amid firesale but crucial transfer trigger offers Premier League leverage

The winger has endured a nightmare spell in the Saudi Pro League since leaving Celtic Park last summer.

Al-Ittihad reportedly contacted Celtic about the prospect of Jota returning to Parkhead in January.

However, the conditions of the mega-money deal are said to have priced out the Scottish Premiership side with the winger being “marketed” across Europe with a January loan exit with a guarantee that the deal will be made permanent next summer.

The 25-year-old left Celtic Park behind last summer with a bumper £25million payday arriving in Glasgow’s east end – but the move backfired on the Portuguese wide man having been dropped from the Saudi Pro League squad which limited him to AFC Champions League and Club World Cup cameos.

The winger appeared to be receiving a second chance from new boss Marcelo Gallardo after he was drafted back into the first-team picture following the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo. But the chance of a career revival in the Middle East appear to have been ruled out with Saudi outlet HiHi claiming that Jota is on a six-player shortlist being floated to clubs in Europe with a view to a January move.

It is said that he was a “special project” of the now-Nottingham Forest boss and Gallardo is happy to call time on Jota’ stint in the Pro League. However, Ittihad are said to be keen to recoup some of the fee paid out for the attacker with a loan deal set to include a purchase clause.

WinWin claim that Celtic were approached over the prospect of a deal with Ittihad viewing it as an “easy” option. But the Hoops appear to have closed to door over the “exorbitant” fees involved.

Despite this Shahid report the club are confident of striking a deal with English Premier League sides interested. The likes of a reunion with Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham have been mentioned and Itthad believe they have an “opportunity” to sell to a big-spending side south of the border.