Celtic prepare to sell star winger Jota to Al-Ittihad for over £20m as Saudi Pro League continue their recruitment campaign
- Jota plays together with Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema, who signed in June
- His fee could be close to the record paid to Celtic: £25 million for Kieran Tierney
- The Portuguese star only moved from Benfica to Celtic last July on a permanent contract
Celtic are set to sell winger Jota to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth more than £20 million.
Last summer he was bought from Benfica for £7 million and has agreed a life-changing salary of more than £10 million a year, tax free.
Real Madrid legend and Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante have already completed money transfers to Al Ittihad.
Coached by Nuno Espirito Santos, a Jota deal is now finalized by Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes.
The forward, initially on loan from Benfica by Ange Postecoglou, agreed to move to Glasgow on a permanent contract last July. He scored 15 goals in 43 appearances – including a stunning free-kick in a close defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League – as Celtic secured a domestic treble.
Celtic set to sell star player Jota to Al-Ittihad in deal worth more than £20 million
The 24-year-old won Goal of the Season at this year’s PFA Scotland Player of the Year Awards
Now, barring a late hiccup, the 24-year-old will follow Postecoglou out the door to suck up some of Europe’s top talent in a Saudi Pro League alongside compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo.
The country’s Sovereign Wealth Fun recently took control of four teams – including Al-Ittihad – leading to a frenzied spending spree.
Armed with grand plans to become one of the top five leagues in the world, the Saudis failed to sign Lionel Messi but have already been linked with Manchester City’s Treble-winning pair Bernardo Silva and Riyaz Mahrez – no problem with money.
Asian football pundit Martin Lowe expects the four clubs coming under state control to target elite players as part of the government’s Vision 2030 plan.
This plan is spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), as a dynamic change for modern Saudi society, which will seek to move away from their dependence on oil reserves, towards a forward-looking Arab nation that will appeal to their younger generation. and an increasingly liberal demographic,” Lowe asserts.
The Portuguese wide man played a vital role in helping Celtic secure the domestic treble
Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema was revealed as an Al-Ittihad player in early June
‘Sports and leisure is only one sector within 13 areas in the plan; but within the sports section, ambitions such as acquiring Newcastle United and reforming the national league were important pre-set road markers.
MBS announced the privatization of the league’s domestic clubs. The previous model meant that all clubs were under state control; however, a push towards private corporate ownership is seen as a more sustainable route forward.”
The latest Jota deal comes close to the record £25 million paid to Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney for Scotland in 2019.
Brendan Rodgers has already been given a significant budget for signings and will be given a large chunk of the Jota profits – after Benfica claim a hefty resale fee – to reinvest in the team. Celtic have already signed 20-year-old Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and have now agreed an agreement with Australian international Marco Tilio.