Celtic are holding out for a record breaking transfer fee of more than £25m for wanted winger Jota.
Parkhead chiefs spent the weekend in talks with Saudi Pro League big guns Al-Ittihad over the blockbuster move with the 24-year-old already agreeing personal terms of up to £10m per year. Record Sport understands Jota has a clause in his Hoops contract that will automatically trigger a hike in wages from £35k to £45k per week if the club rejects a bid of at least £25m. Celtic are looking to bank even more for the sale – and smash the Scottish record set by Kieran Tierney’s £25m move to Arsenal in 2019.
Sources suggest the clubs are close to agreeing terms and the Saudi switch could be sealed in the next few days. The Hoops are also braced for interest from the Middle East in midfielder Reo Hatate. The playmaker’s representatives let intermediates in the region know the Japan star was not interested in heading to the Gulf State earlier in the summer.
Hatate is believed to be focused on Celtic with a view to making his name in Europe. But Saudi sides – including Al-Ittihad – remain interest and are preparing to offer huge financial packages. Celtic won’t let go of another crown jewel unless it’s a blockbuster bid, with Jota already on his way and midfielder Aaron Mooy deciding to hang up his boots.
The Treble winning squad is due to check back in to Lennoxtown today, with the international players reporting for duty later in the week with a view to joining pre-season next week. New signing Odin Thiago Holm is expected to arrive while fellow arrival Marco Tilio is set to hook up with the side in a few weeks as he packs up from Melbourne City in Australia.
Brendan Rodgers men will kick off preparations in Scotland before an intense training camp in Portugal ahead of the trip to the Far East. The Celts will spend a week in Japan, with games against Ange Postecoglou’s former side Yokohama F Marinos and Gamba Osaka, with the last leg in Korea still being sorted out after Wolves pulled out of a clash in Suwan.
The Parkhead men are still in talks with Korean promoters and could face local opposition.
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