Celtic look set to complete the permanent signing of winger Jota after informing Benfica of their plans to activate their purchase option.
That’s according to Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias, who claim that Jota’s time at Benfica is coming to an end.
It’s claimed that Celtic have now informed Benfica that they have decided to activate their purchase option in Jota’s loan.
The report claims the fee involved is €7.5million (£6.3mllion) and Celtic are paying up to secure the wide man’s future.
Incoming boss Roger Schmidt seemingly hasn’t moved to try and convince Jota to stay so it looks like the Celtic deal will go through.
This is a perfect start to the summer transfer window for Celtic.
Ever since September it has felt like Jota’s future was a huge subject of conversation.
Celtic only pounced to sign Jota on loan from Benfica late in August but the attention was quickly turned to a potential permanent deal.
That’s just how quickly fans took to Jota, just almost immediately believing that the Bhoys had signed a star.
Jota has now racked up 12 goals and 12 assists in 37 games for Celtic, effectively getting his career back on track in Scotland.
Before joining Celtic, Jota had endured a difficult loan spell at Real Valladolid and was in danger of seeing his potential go to waste.
Celtic seemingly saw something in Jota and believed they could tap into that potential with a move to Parkhead.
Jota has certainly taken his chance in green and white, nailing down a regular spot down Celtic’s left flank.
That £6.3million fee now appears to be a bargain and Jota could be part of a devastating Bhoys attacking trident for years to come.
Jota on the left, Kyogo Furuhashi through the middle and Liel Abada down the right sounds like a superb front line for Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou himself described Jota as ‘outstanding’ earlier this season and is no doubt delighted that Celtic are buying the Portuguese ace.
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