Jota, the 30-year-old winger who departed Celtic for Al-Ittihad in 2023 for a record fee of £25 million, finds himself at the center of a potential return to the Glasgow-based club. After being sidelined at Rennes following his summer move from Al-Ittihad, discussions about Jota's future are intensifying. Despite facing challenges in France, Celtic remains open to welcoming back the prolific scorer, who has netted 85 times for the Hoops in all competitions.
Jota's recent stint at Rennes has been tumultuous, with his form not always acknowledged by Japan's national team manager, Hajime Moriyasu. Moriyasu has previously criticized the Scottish league, which may have influenced his perception of Jota's capabilities. This situation escalated on Wednesday night when Jota had three goals disallowed in a match against Young Boys, further complicating his position at Rennes.
Celtic is actively exploring the possibility of facilitating Jota's return to Glasgow. An offer is reportedly on the table, and discussions are progressing separately from other transfer negotiations. The club's openness to reacquiring Jota comes amidst Stade Rennes nearing a £10 million deal for Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi. This potential departure could pave the way for Jota's comeback, aligning with Celtic's strategic interest in strengthening their squad.
Brendan Rodgers, the current Celtic manager, has expressed his stance on player transfers with clarity. He acknowledged the importance of securing the best possible deal if a player no longer wishes to remain at the club.
"I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn't want to be here, then go, and then it's at that point, then the club has to get the best possible deal." – Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers' pragmatic approach highlights Celtic's dedication to maintaining team cohesion while ensuring optimal outcomes in the transfer market.
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