In a surprising turn of events, Celtic’s star winger Jota is reportedly on the brink of a significant move to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad. The deal is said to be worth in excess of £20 million, marking a significant profit for Celtic who signed the Portuguese player from Benfica for £7 million just last summer.
The news comes from Stephen McGowan [Mail Sport], the well-respected journalist who recently broke the story of Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic Park. McGowan has indicated that negotiations are currently underway, with the potential for a final agreement to be reached soon.
Jota, who has been a standout performer for Celtic, is set to receive a life-changing salary of over £10 million per year, tax-free, in Saudi Arabia. This lucrative offer follows the trend of high-profile players such as Real Madrid legend and Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, who have also made the move to Al-Ittihad.
The Saudi club, currently managed by Nuno Espirito Santos, is finalising the deal with the help of Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes. This move will see Jota join the ranks of top European talents being attracted to the Saudi Pro League.
Jota was initially signed on loan by Ange Postecoglou, and he agreed to a permanent move to Glasgow last July. During his time at Celtic, he made a significant impact, scoring 15 goals in 43 appearances, including a memorable free-kick against Real Madrid in the Champions League – despite the thumping Celtic received. His performances were instrumental in Celtic’s domestic treble win.
However, it now appears that the 24-year-old is set to follow Postecoglou out of Celtic Park. His move to Al-Ittihad will see him join fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo in a league that is rapidly attracting some of Europe’s top talents.
This influx of talent into Saudi Arabian football has been facilitated by the country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, which recently took control of four teams, including Al-Ittihad. This has sparked a spending spree, with clubs eager to bring in top-tier talent from across Europe. This has disgruntled many in the EPL who are used to having a monopoly on players with the finances at their disposal.
While the deal is yet to be finalised, barring any last-minute hitches, it seems that Jota’s time at Celtic is drawing to a close. His impending move to Al-Ittihad is a testament to the increasing appeal of the Saudi Pro League and the significant financial power of its clubs.
As Celtic were lifting the title in May, fans could have been forgiven for thinking they were in for a quiet summer. However, the end of June has brought a whirlwind of changes. Ange Postecoglou has departed for Tottenham Hotspur, Brendan Rodgers has made a sensational return to the manager’s seat, and now it appears that one of Celtic’s top players is on the verge of an exit. This summer is proving to be anything but quiet for the Hoops.
