Celtic are braced for a £25m mega-money bid from Saudi Arabia for star man Jota.
Hoops chiefs remain tight-lipped over any official approach but Record Sport understands a deal with Pro League champs Al-Ittihad is close to being done. The story first broke in the Middle East on Thursday afternoon and it’s unclear if the Scottish champions have been approached by the Saudi side yet. However, Record Sport can confirm Jota’s agents – the company run by Jorge Mendes – are confident a deal will be struck. And sources even claim the salary on offer could be worth up to £10m a year tax-free for the Portuguese star.
Jota is under contract at Parkhead until 2027 and the Hoops don’t want to lose him with Brendan Rodgers gearing up for a crack at the Champions League group stage after returning as manager. But a massive cheque of around £25m would likely force the issue – although Benfica are understood to be due 30 per cent of any profit on the wide man who signed last summer for £6.5m after a season on loan at Parkhead.
Jota has emerged a a target for the Gulf outfit amid a flurry of high profile raids on Europe. Portuguese super agent Mendes’ group have already brokered Wolves’ Ruben Neves’ record-breaking £47m move to Al-Hilal and a number of other big-name Saudi moves.
Al-Ittihad are managed by Mendes client Nuno Espirito Santo, who has ex-Hearts gaffer Ian Cathro as his number two, having already snapped up Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema of an incredible £84m-a-per-year contract and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante on £67m a year.
Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have also checked out of Stamford Bridge for Saudi and several other Blues players are expected to follow. Celtic’s top men have been placed on Saudi clubs’ watchlists with midfielder Reo Hatate already turning down the opportunity to discuss a potential move as he is concentrating on making his name in Europe. But Jota could have a big decision on his hands with massive sums available in the Pro League.
Celtic’s top men have been placed on Saudi clubs’ watchlists with midfielder Reo Hatate already turning down the opportunity to discuss a potential move as he is concentrating on making his name in Europe. But 24-year-old Jota could have a big decision on his hands with such huge sums of money on offer in the Pro League.
