Moving quickly- Anthony Joseph’s Jota update as Celtic talks begin
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Ross County v Celtic - Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall, Scotland, Britain - April 2, 2023 Celtic's Jota celebrates scoring their first goal with Matt O'Riley REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Anthony Joseph has confirmed that transfer talks are underway between Celtic and Al Ittihad over Jota’s proposed transfer to to Saudi side.
After the story broke from Qatar on Thursday afternoon things moved quickly with Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail reporting of a fee in excess of £20m with the player on a £10m tax free salary.
It seems to be a fast moving story but with the player contracted until May 2027 a deal with Celtic has to be agreed. Despite that length of contract it will be near impossible to deny a player the eye-watering terms that his agent has set up.
According to The Salary Calculator £1m a year in Scotland would result in a take home of £525,328, with Al Ittihad Jota will be earning 20 times what is regarded as a top Scottish football salary.
UPDATE: Al-Ittihad have opened talks with Celtic tonight over a potential move for Jota.
It’s understood a deal worth up to £25m is being discussed.
As things stand, nothing has been agreed with the clubs, or the player. But it is moving quickly. https://t.co/nrlzgYJs0M
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) June 29, 2023
While Michael Nicholson tries to thrash out the best possible terms the likely deal means that Brendan Rodgers is walking in on a squad without one of its top players.
Out of five wingers in the squad a fit Jota would always start with Daizen Maeda or Liel Abada most likely to be on the other flank.
It had been anticipated that Abada would be transferred this summer but the departure of Jota to Al Ittihad could delay that move, losing two out of three regular wingers would be a big gamble unless someone of a similar standard is about to be signed to join Maeda and Sead Haksabanovic competing for starting places.
CLICK HERE for Jota’s Transfermarkt profile.