Reported by MailSport, the 25-year-old winger is set to make a sensational permanent return to Celtic, just 18 months after departing for Al-Ittihad in a £25m transfer. Jota has now signed a long-term contract with the Scottish champions, completing a remarkable comeback.
Manager Brendan Rodgers always prioritized bringing in a winger during the January transfer window, and when the opportunity arose to bring back the Portuguese fan favorite, Celtic wasted no time in securing his £9m return. Jota’s arrival is expected to be officially announced within the next day.
In exchange for Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi is heading to Rennes after expressing his desire to leave Celtic. With an impressive record of 85 goals in 165 matches, the 30-year-old striker’s departure opens the door for Celtic to intensify their search for a new forward before the transfer window closes.
Rodgers is also optimistic about securing a six-month loan deal for Kieran Tierney, who is expected to return to Celtic on a permanent basis in the summer. However, interest from Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in Tierney’s Arsenal teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko could complicate the loan deal if the Ukrainian left-back departs the Emirates before the deadline.
The ‘January’ transfer window in Scotland closes at 11pm on February 3, leaving Celtic with limited time to finalize their transfer dealings. With the Jota deal setting the tone for an eventful window, Celtic fans can expect more surprises before the deadline passes.
