Jota “would love” a return to Celtic this summer, according to Saudi news outlet TV 24.
The Hoops sold the winger to Al-Ittihad 12 months ago for a fee of around £25 million, but his time in the Saudi Pro League has not gone as planned.
Jota, now 25 years old, has struggled to adapt to football in the Middle East and is already being linked with an exit from his current club, despite signing a long-term deal.
During his time with Al-Ittihad last season, Jota made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals. However, the club failed to win any trophies. Recently, he expressed his disappointment, saying:
“We apologise to the fans for leaving the King’s Cup and the rest of the tournaments. We have to improve ourselves. We will work to correct the results in the upcoming matches. Al-Ittihad is a big club and will return to winning trophies. It is difficult to express what happened in today’s match.”
Celtic originally signed Jota in 2021 on an initial loan deal before making his move to Glasgow permanent. He became a fan favourite at Celtic Park, scoring 28 goals in 83 matches and helping the team win the Scottish Premiership twice, as well as the Scottish Cup and League Cup.
Under the management of Ange Postecoglou, Jota flourished. Postecoglou, who later moved to Tottenham Hotspur, praised Jota’s development:
“Jota in his career before he got to us (Celtic) wasn’t going on the trajectory he wanted and he was the one who made the decision to come here and work hard at his game and improve, and he is. He’s constantly improving, like all the group, and that needs to keep happening because there’s more in them, there’s more in him and I’m sure he’s working his way towards that.”
Jota began his career at Benfica, rising through the academy ranks and becoming a regular at various youth levels before breaking into their B team. He played 33 times for Benfica’s first team and had a loan spell at Real Valladolid in Spain to gain experience before Celtic made their move.
A potential return to Celtic would be a significant move for the Hoops. However, his high wages could be a stumbling block, and it remains to be seen whether the club would be interested in negotiating a deal. Jota played under Postecoglou and has never worked with current manager Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic have been patient in their recruitment this summer and have yet to sign any new players. They are waiting for the right opportunities and are cautious about making any expensive or unnecessary deals. The club is focused on building a strong squad to retain their title next season, having won the Scottish Premiership again last term ahead of Rangers.
Bringing Jota back could be a key addition to their squad, providing the flair and goal-scoring ability he showcased during his previous spell at the club. His return would undoubtedly excite the fans and potentially bolster Celtic’s chances of continued domestic success and a strong European campaign.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Celtic supporters will be keenly watching for any developments regarding Jota’s potential return. If a deal can be struck, it would be a remarkable reunion for a player who left a lasting impression during his time in Glasgow.