Former Benfica man Alvaro Magalhaes has urged Celtic loanee Jota to complete a permanent transfer to the Hoops after a successful campaign in Glasgow.
After joining the club on transfer deadline day, it has been a brilliant few months for the 22-year old, who has quickly become a fan’s favourite in the Green and White.
This has also led to the Celtic support to calling for Jota to be signed up on a permanent basis, with both Benfica and Celtic having an option to buy agreeing in place.
Magalhaes, who spent time with the Portuguese time as both a player and a coach, was recently asked for his thoughts on the winger who came through the academy with his former side, and the 61-year old insisted that Jota should make the move a permanent one.
“I think so,” he answered in reply when speaking to Portuguese media outlet Record as to whether the winger should be sold and complete his move to Celtic.
He has had many opportunities and has not managed to consolidate his quality as a player. He was loaned, and there is no doubt that he is having a good championship in Scotland.
“There are players who have quality and value, but often they don’t adapt to their own coaches. It could be that, with another coach, he could create status at Benfica.
“[But] he had several opportunities – I don’t care if they were many or few – and at Benfica, you don’t have to have ten chances; you have to take one and take it. There’s no doubt he’s adapted better in Scotland, and he’s doing extremely well.”
As mentioned, this would very much be welcomed news from the rest of the Celtic support if the majority of people at Benfica also believed what Magalhaes has stated.
The Portugal u21 internationalist has been a sensation on the left-hand side for Ange Postecoglou’s side, and a deal at just £6.5 million would also be seen as an absolute bargain.
Hopefully, that is some business that can be conducted quickly in the summer. For now, though, both Jota and Ange’s focus at this moment in time will remain on the final run-in for this season.
