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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Ex-Celtic ace Jota latest as Al-Ittihad manager drops transfer hint after £25m move

Former Celtic winger Jota is reportedly set to leave Al-Ittihad just one month after his £25million transfer to the Saudi club.

The 24-year-old left Celtic in the summer to make the money-spinning move to the Middle East but speculation quickly mounted over a quickfire exit.

Jota has played six times for his new club since his transfer switch but the half of his appearances have come from the bench.

Most recently, Jota climbed off the bench in the 2-0 win over Al-Tai on Saturday - featuring for just 16 minutes.

And manager Nuno Espirito Santo has thrown doubt over Jota's future at the club after dropping a transfer hint.

He suggested Al-Ittihad could sign two new players in the coming days - one being a winger.

“These are things that I cannot talk about," said Santo over a question on transfer business.

"There is a possibility of signing a defender and a winger in the coming days, but there are things in football that we keep to ourselves."

Conflicting reports had suggested Jota will stay at Al-Ittihad despite rumours linking him with a loan exit.

However, Saudi journalist Muhammad Al-Bakiri is confident Jota is on his way out of the club.

And Al-Ittihad hero Mohammad Nour reckons it is for the best that Jota depart the club after his short stint in Saudi. He even branded the reported decision as "brave".

He told SBA Sport: "It has been clear through recent matches that Jota is not suitable for the federation.

"It is better to change it now than start the season with it and failing later. I thank the federation management for its courage in making such a brave decision."

After his transfer exit was confirmed in early July, Jota had shared an emotional farewell message to the Celtic support.

He said: "No words will ever express how grateful I am for this ride. Let me tell you something...what a f***ing ride.

"I was scared, I had doubts and I didn't know what to expect from something that in the end turned out to be one of the most beautiful stories ever.

"People often ask me what is so special about Celtic and I think there's no straight answer, there's no fair answer for that.

"The answer lies in such a deep feeling, a sense, an emotion.

"There is this mystical fog flowing around Celtic Park that induces you to this sense of football edge.

"This football heritage gave us unforgettable moments. And you can't just explain it, you need to feel it, you need to respect it.

"I'm such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and as a person.

"To the players, to the staff and for all of the involved departments, a big thank you from me. You guys made me better.

"To the fans, and I always say this, you guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that, we were crazy in love.

"For what matters, I think I have loved you more than them so believe me, I'll love you for life.

"I have recently learned that happiness is not found at the finishing line, it lies in the path. It definitely lies in the path.

"I'm grateful for every raindrop in Glasgow, every trip to the Highlands and wow, those were long, every bit of Glaswegian banter and so it goes on, so many stories, so many things to remember.

"Celtic will always definitely have a special place in my heart and one day my biggest dream will be just to sit down with my kids and tell them about how magical and special this place is because life is all about stories and this one was just unbelievable.

"Today, I become another fan, the ones that live and make the club. Forever yours."

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