When Celtic signed Jota on a season-long loan from Benfica in the summer, not many knew what to expect from the Portuguese winger. He had been one of the most highly-rated talents in the world while coming through the youth ranks and was even linked with a move to Real Madrid at one point. But for all of his potential, the player was never quite able to establish himself at the senior level.
He could not nail down a spot in Benfica’s first-team and then struggled away on loan at Real Valladolid. Thus, fans viewed it as a risk on the part of Celtic to sign him on loan in the summer.
It is safe to say that it has worked out quite well for both the club and the player. Jota has been nothing short of a revelation at Celtic and has arguably been one of the best in Scottish football this season.
But at this point of time, Celtic appear to be struggling with a problem surrounding Jota and his future at Parkhead.
Celtic struggling with massive Jota problem right now
Celtic are believed to have an option to buy included in Jota’s loan deal, believed to be a transfer fee around £6.5 million.
But till now, the club are yet to trigger that, although the expectation is that they would not be opposed to doing so.
Ultimately, it might all come down to Jota and what he wants to do. While he has finally found a regular starting place at Celtic, Benfica is his boyhood club, and understandably, that might end up playing a big factor in his future decision.
It remains to be seen what ends up happening in the race to sign Jota. But if Celtic are able to keep him, it would be considered as a huge boost on the part of the club. Benfica are believed to want the winger back as well though.
It must be pointed out that Jota has been nowhere near the top of his game, since his return from injury recently.