Pundit makes shrewd Jota Celtic return suggestion | OneFootball

Celtic have been told to consider a move for Jota by pundit Michael Stewart. The 25-year-old has been exiled by Al Ittihad one year after making the £25m switch to the Saudi Pro League.

Having spent last season out of the Jeddah side’s squad for the Pro League, Jota’s position has deteriorated further with Moussa Diaby signing with Sadio Mane heavily linked, too. This means that Jota has been moved into the periphery of the squad and he is desperate to leave.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 30: Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring only goal of the game during the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 30, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Reports have suggested that Jota wants to be paid off by Al Ittihad in order to depart but that a number of clubs from Europe are keen on a deal. However, Stewart cannot believe that Celtic haven’t been in the conversation to bring the attacker back to Paradise. Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, the pundit said that Celtic need to strengthen in two areas and that the Portuguese attacker could satisfy one of those positions.

“I still feel like centre half and out wide are the areas you would want to strengthen that starting eleven.

“That is no disrespect to Liam Scales because he has been brilliant and you would have no qualms about playing him, but if you are going to look to progress in Europe those are the sort of areas (you would look at) – somebody with that X-factor in the wide area. Maybe somebody like Jota back on loan – I can’t believe it’s never been discussed or floated as an idea.”

Brendan has spoken about wanting quality in the transfer window and Jota would certainly satisfy this criteria. The wages that the player is on in Saudi make a deal unlikely unless he is available on a free this summer. You would assume that the player would love to make a move back to Celtic given his success in his time in Glasgow.

During two years with the club under Ange, Jota 83 appearances for Celtic as they won five trophies. In those games, he scored 28 goals and assisted on 26 occasions, which resulted in links to a number of clubs.