As reported by Stephen McGowan and Callum Crowe in MailSport, Celtic are on the verge of finalizing a deal to bring back former fan favorite Jota this weekend.
The Portuguese winger left the Hoops in the summer of 2023 for a £25m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. However, after a turbulent spell in the Middle East, he transferred to Rennes five months ago.
Despite the fresh start, Jota has struggled to find favor under Jorge Sampaoli in Brittany, making him available on the transfer market once again. Celtic have now made their move to secure the 25-year-old for the third time.
Celtic’s Interest in Jota Began Last Summer
Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s board had shown interest in re-signing Jota last summer, but the former Benfica player was hesitant to return to Glasgow so soon after his departure.
A €10m Deal and a Swap in the Making
Celtic and Rennes have continued their recent business dealings, with Kyogo Furuhashi heading to the Ligue 1 side for €10m. The 30-year-old striker was spotted arriving in France last night, having departed from Glasgow on a private jet earlier in the day.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the fee for Jota’s return to Celtic will match the amount Rennes are paying for Kyogo, effectively making this a straight swap.
The only distinction is that Rennes have included a sell-on clause in Jota’s contract, while Celtic have not done so for Kyogo due to his recent 30th birthday.
Weather Delays Hold Up Jota’s Arrival
Celtic are holding off on finalizing Kyogo’s transfer until Jota’s deal is completed. However, the extreme red weather warning in Glasgow caused by Storm Eowyn has grounded all flights, delaying Jota’s arrival until tomorrow when conditions are expected to improve.
Mathias Kvistgaarden on Celtic’s Radar
With Kyogo’s departure imminent, Celtic are reigniting their interest in Brøndby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden.
The 22-year-old has scored 38 goals in 109 appearances for the Danish side, including 12 goals in 18 matches this season. He has attracted attention from clubs across Europe, including Eintracht Frankfurt and Celtic.
Keen to secure a move during this transfer window, Kvistgaarden could become Brendan Rodgers’ next attacking focal point, with a reported price tag of £10m.
At the start of January, Rodgers emphasized that Celtic would act swiftly in the transfer market if any key players left the club.
Eligibility for Upcoming Matches
Any new players signed before next Wednesday will not be eligible to play in Celtic’s final Champions League group stage game against Aston Villa.
However, once Jota’s return is finalized, he will be available for the two-legged knockout playoffs in February.
The same applies to Kieran Tierney, who remains eligible despite featuring in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign earlier this week.