Celtic transfer news: 'Huge piece of business for Brendan Rodgers' on the way
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Celtic are set to complete a “huge piece of business” for manager Brendan Rodgers, Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has revealed.
According to this latest update, Jota is now set to return to the Scottish champions following a spell with French side Rennes.
The winger scored 28 goals and provided 26 assists in 83 appearances in all competitions for the Glasgow club between 2021 and 2023 (Transfermarkt).
After leaving for a spell with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia for £25million (Sky Sports), Jota has struggled since moving to Rennes in the summer, and as such now looks set for a return to Celtic.
Speaking about the situation live on Sky Sports News on 23 January, McAdam revealed: “Significant news for Celtic fans because Celtic are close to agreeing a deal for the Rennes winger Jota.
“Someone they know incredibly well of course he had a loan spell which was converted into a permanent spell before eventually he moved on to Al-Ittihad. Sky Sports News understands negotiations on a deal worth £8million have reached an advanced stage with the player keen to return to Glasgow. No surprise there.
“As I say in 2023 he went to Al-Ittihad. He then joined Rennes but he’s been frozen out, game time limited, not played since before Christmas, this would obviously represent a huge piece of business for Brendan Rodgers. They have been in the market for a winger and it looks like they’ve got their man.”
Football Insiderunderstands Kyogo Furuhashi has travelled to France to undergo talks and a medical over completing a move in the other direction.
That is something Kris Boyd believes will still be a concern for the club despite the return of Jota to Rodgers’ side.
When he was then asked if the news of Jota’s return to Celtic had ruined his evening, the former Rangers striker said: “No it’s definitely not. He was a fantastic player there’s no doubt about that to get the move that he got for the money that Celtic got and then to be able to bring him back, for £8million next to what they sold him for there’s a huge gap in there.
“I’m sure he’ll want to come back and prove a point but the one for me and I think it would worry the Celtic fans would be Kyogo leaving.
“He has been the difference in a lot of games this season, he scores big goals, I think the fact that he’s probably getting to the stage of his career where he wants to have his last big move, maybe earn top dollar, and Celtic their model they’re not going to break that for anyone so for them to get £10million is good business.
“But goalscorers are hard to come by and Kyogo definitely falls into that category so I’d imagine Celtic will be looking to do more business other than just Jota.”
Jota return eases Kyogo disappointment for Celtic
Football Insider Verdict
Jota was an excellent player during his first spell at Parkhead with some major contributions in terms of both goals and assists, and he was even touted for a return to the club last summer.
As a result, while they will undoubtedly be disappointed by the departure of Kyogo, Celtic fans will have a hope that the returning winger can help them to fill the void he leaves.
It is of course also worth noting that at 25-years-old Jota is five years younger than the Japan international heading in the opposite direction to him.
The Scottish championship may therefore feel that from a longevity perspective as well they may be getting the better end of this deal.
Add in the fact they appear to be paying a lot less than they sold him for, and Celtic do have plenty of reasons to be pleased with the piece of business they look set to complete for Rodgers.
With that in mind, every supporter of the club will surely relish seeing Jota back in a Hoops shirt once again.
In other news, Celtic have secured a major financial windfall through the Champions League.
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