Former Celtic star Jota is reportedly on the verge of a move to French football, with Rennes emerging as his likely destination. According to French journalist Benjamin Quarez of Le Parisien, the deal is nearing completion.
“Jota should be in Rennes in the coming days. Negotiations are well underway for the Al-Ittihad winger. There would be little more to complete the deal,” Quarez reported.
Jota, who was sold by Celtic to Al-Ittihad last summer for a fee exceeding £25 million, has struggled to find his footing in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese winger, who was adored by the Celtic faithful during his time in Glasgow, has found life in the Middle East to be a stark contrast. The lack of support and affection from the club and its fans has been evident, making his stint in Saudi Arabia a challenging one.
Despite the difficulties, the financial rewards in Saudi Arabia have been significant, and Jota is unlikely to accept a substantial pay cut to facilitate a move to Rennes. However, the possibility of joining the French club seems to have piqued his interest.
Celtic fans have been quick to react to the news, with many expressing a desire to see Jota return to Parkhead.
The official Celtic France account commented, “Our former Portuguese baller #Jota should sign for Rennes after his time in Saudi Arabia. I hope the people of Rennes enjoy it as much as we enjoyed it with him.”
Meanwhile, Actu Ligue 1, a French football account, confirmed the player’s enthusiasm for the move, stating, “The player WANTS to join Rennes. The Breton club DISCUSSES with Al-Ittihad.”
While some Celtic supporters dream of a reunion with Jota, others are more pragmatic, recognising the financial hurdles.
The question remains: if Rennes can afford such a deal, could Celtic have done the same? With Matt O’Riley potentially leaving, the Celtic board might have explored the option of bringing Jota back, even on a loan basis. Nonetheless, as Jota looks set for Rennes, Celtic fans will wish him the best in his new chapter.