MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 22:17:02| >> :120:58806:58806:

Al-Ittihad 'in talks with Celtic over £25m deal for Jota'

Al-Ittihad 'in talks with Celtic over £25m deal for Jota'
© Reuters
Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad reportedly open talks with Celtic over a potential £25m deal to sign Jota.

Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have reportedly opened talks with Celtic over a potential £25m deal to sign Jota.

The 24-year-old attacker moved to Parkhead on an initial loan deal from Benfica in 2021 before making his switch permanent last summer for around £6.5m.

Jota has established himself as a star player for the Hoops in the last two seasons, recording 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 appearances across all tournaments.

The Portuguese scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games during the 2022-23 campaign in which Celtic celebrated winning a Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup domestic treble.

Jota still has four years remaining on his contract in Glasgow, but the attacker is the subject of strong interest from the big spenders in the Middle East.

Celtic's Jota celebrates scoring their first goal with Matt O'Riley on April 2, 2023© Reuters

According to Sky Sports News, Al-Ittihad are in discussions with Celtic over a possible £25m deal for Jota, although they are yet to table a formal bid for the attacker.

Celtic are said to be keen to keep hold of their No.17 and will only consider selling him for a 'significant' transfer fee.

Meanwhile, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that an agreement is "very close" between both clubs, with the player keen to move to the Middle East and discuss the final details of his contract.

Al-Ittihad are managed by Jota's Portuguese compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo, who has already made two notable signings this summer in the form of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.

Benfica would be due 30% of any future transfer fee for Jota should the Scottish giants agree to cash in on the Lisbon-born attacker.

Celtic's Jota on November 2, 2022© Reuters

The potential departure of Jota comes at a time when Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to sign versatile Australian forward Marco Tilio from Melbourne City.

Sky Sports News reports that paperwork is in the process of being finalised and the Hoops hope to complete the transfer at some stage this week.

Tilio, who can play on either wing or as a central striker, could become Brendan Rodgers's second signing of the summer after midfielder Odin Thiago Holm.

Meanwhile, star striker Kyogo Furuhashi has refused to ruled out a possible exit from Celtic this summer amid interest from Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur.

ID:517349:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5345:

Click here for more stories about Jota

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Kieran Tierney celebrates scoring against FC Zurich on November 3, 2022
Read Next:
Kieran Tierney 'open to Celtic return under Brendan Rodgers'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!